Almost 50 students are currently studying the protection of human rights in Europe at Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder). During this year´s edition of Viadrina´s two-week summer school, titled “The European System of Human Rights Protection”, they are learning from international experts from academia and juridical practice. On July 11, 2025, Anna Adamska-Gallant, judge at the European Court of Human Rights and one of the summer school´s prominent speakers, stressed that the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) made history this week when it condemned Russia for systematic human rights violations in its war against Ukraine. The judges criticized indiscriminate military attacks, executions of civilians and Ukrainian military personnel, torture and expulsion, as well as the suppression of the Ukrainian language in schools. Anna Adamska-Gallant cautioned that the ruling would not initially have any consequences for Russia. “But it is very important for the victims to be heard and to see that an international court is representing their rights, even if Russia does not respond,” she argued. No other court could hold Russia responsible. “Justice takes time,” she said, recalling the prosecution of German crimes in the Second World War or the atrocities in the Yugoslav war, which were sometimes dealt with decades later. “We should believe in justice and human rights,” she appealed.

The students - 15 from the Viadrina and twice as many from almost 20 different countries such as Nepal, Senegal, Argentina and Croatia – will continue their intensive learning experience in the joint courses and by way of a moot court - a simulated trial at the European Court of Human Rights, with which the summer school ends on July 19.