On 1 September, the Irish Centre for Human Rights opened its doors to legal, diplomatic, policy and civil society experts from across the continent to discuss the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). ‘Lighting the Shade: Effective Application of the ECHR in Areas of Conflict in Europe’ saw delegates reflect on the monitoring, advisory and cooperation activities of the Council of Europe in areas of conflict and contestation. The conference was organised by the Irish Centre for Human Rights and the University of Galway’s law school, and was held within the framework of the Irish Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. It built on the work of the German Presidency in seeking ways for statutory and non-statutory actors to play a more meaning role in human rights promotion in contested territories.

Ireland’s Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, joined Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge in opening the conference, which also saw a keynote address from former Irish President and Chair of the Council of Europe High-Level Reflection Group Mary Robinson. Across a range of panels, speakers identified three main issues of concern: the challenges faced by the European Court of Human Rights in establishing jurisdiction; lack of access to Council of Europe monitoring and advisory mechanisms; and the need for access to human rights, democracy and the rule of law cooperation programmes in areas of unresolved conflict.