Europe is facing a period of political uncertainty. Across the continent, debates around migration, asylum and security are increasingly shaping not only electoral campaigns, but also the way governments approach human rights. This is apparent from the Political Declaration agreed by ministers of foreign affairs in Chișinău, Moldova, on 14-15 May 2026. In this climate, fundamental principles that once appeared
non-negotiable are now being treated as politically flexible.
This development concerns all of us, and especially young people.
The international human rights architecture was not built in times of political convenience, but rather emerged from one of Europe’s darkest periods. It came grounded in the understanding that human dignity must never depend on nationality, religion or public sentiment. The very foundation of our democratic systems is the universality of human rights, which is not an abstract legal concept.
The statements of the Advisory Council are published for the purpose of informing the public about the activities of the statutory bodies of the Council of Europe youth sector. The statements reflect the opinions and positions of the Advisory Council and its members. The views expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council of Europe.
