Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

The EJTN Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms programme brings European judges, prosecutors and court staff together to discuss the most crucial topics on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms at the European and EU level. 

What is it?

Every year, the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (HFR) portfolio offers a comprehensive and coherent series of training activities, designed to enhance the expertise of justice professionals across Europe. Both online training activities and face-to-face seminars follow a combined approach of lectures, workshops, case studies, court hearings (in face-to-face) and interactive tools and online trainings (online activities) that provide a dynamic and engaging learning experience for legal practitioners. 

During these sessions, judges, prosecutors, court staff, and trainers enhance their knowledge on the latest developments in human rights legislation and jurisprudence. They exchange best practices and apply their experience in practical case studies, employing a ‘learning by doing’ methodology that emphasises active participation and real-world application. 

AIM

What’s the objective?

The primary objective of the HFR training activities is to provide an exchange platform for justice practitioners from across Europe to encourage a dialogue and professional development in human rights topics. The training activities enable participants to share experiences and perspectives on their domestic legal frameworks while exploring common challenges in the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

By fostering cross-border exchange, the programme encourages a deeper understanding of the evolving legal landscape. It also offers opportunities to discuss recent developments with leading experts and practitioners, ensuring that judicial professionals remain at the forefront of their field. 

Key Topics

The seminars address the complex challenges faced by EU judges, prosecutors and court staff in safeguarding human rights within their own EU Member States. They focus particularly on the application of EU and European legal instruments from a judicial perspective. 

Participants gain insights into a broad range of issues, including the interpretation of fundamental rights under EU law, case law from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), and emerging trends in human rights protection.

Activities planned for 2027

In 2027, a series of specialised training sessions on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms will focus on the Rule of Law and digitalisation, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and its interplay with the ECHR, and multi-level fundamental rights protection. Additional training activities will address hate crime and antisemitism, access to justice for people in vulnerable situations, Artificial Intelligence and algorithm-driven discrimination, the human right to adequate food, disinformation, and the protection of whistleblowers and their freedom of expression.

These seminars are aimed at European judges, prosecutors, and court staff, providing valuable opportunities to improve their expertise in key areas of EU Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

For the full list of activities planned to take place in 2027, please refer to the EJTN Online Training Catalogue.

EJTN Rule of Law Publications

Any questions?

For any queries regarding the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms programme, please contact Armin Schelle at the EJTN Secretariat: [email protected]