We were especially honoured to have Prof Başak Çalı, Professor of International Law at Hertie School of Governance and Co-Director of the School’s Centre for Fundamental Rights, with us. She gave a keynote speech on “The European Court of Human Rights and the Shadow of Rule of Law Backsliding”. Her presentation marked a very intriguing introduction to the overarching topic of the Fellows’ Exchange Meeting during which the Fellows discussed the state of fundamental rights in Europe and the link between the protection of those rights and the fight against the rule of law backsliding. By asking if the European Court of Human Rights should, can and does take a stand on the rule of law decay when looking at individual cases, Basak Cali sparked a discussion on the responsibility of courts in the current debate of rule of law backsliding.
After the keynote address, fellows and guests continued the discussions over snacks and drinks. The reception took place in the framework of the Fellows' Exchange Meeting where this year's re:constitution Fellows met for the first time.
