The digital space is a powerful enabler for a more inclusive democratic discourse and participation. Free and open internet provides, among other things, simplified access to information, knowledge, culture and education, and it also importantly facilitates the exercise of fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression. At the same time, digitisation comes with new challenges to democratic systems and institutions.

The seminar, organised by the European Court of Human Rights, in cooperation with Directorate General of Human Rights and the Rule of Law of the Council of Europe (DGI), and with the support of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, will bring together members of the judiciary, prominent legal practitioners and academics, representatives of European institutions and non-governmental organisations, as well as other professionals to discuss human rights challenges in the digital age from the judicial perspective.

It will focus on protecting free expression and privacy in the digital environment, also with regard to implications of Big Data, and on determining jurisdiction on the World Wide Web. Speakers coming from different legal systems and jurisdictions will exchange views on the ways to address the complexity that protection of human rights online presents for the judiciary.

The seminar will also pay tribute to the outstanding contribution of the Jurisconsult of the European Court of Human Rights, Lawrence Early, who will retire after many years of service.

• Link to the registration page