The European Yearbook on Human Rights (EYHR) has just launched a Call for Papers for its 2026 edition on topical developments in the field of human rights in and beyond Europe. The year 2026 will mark the anniversary of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The 2026 edition of the EYHR will reflect on and explore the interaction between the European human rights system, with the Council of Europe, the EU and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and international and other regional human rights systems.
Here is the Call for Papers:
'The European Yearbook on Human Rights (EYHR) invites submissions for its 2026 edition on topical developments in the field
of human rights in Europe and beyond. 2026 marks the anniversaries of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). We will take the opportunity to
take a step back and explore how the European human rights system, anchored in the Council of Europe, the EU and the
OSCE, has interacted and has been shaped and influenced by the international and other regional human rights systems.
The European human rights system has long been regarded as a global leader in human rights protection. However, it has
also faced criticism for lagging behind or failing to adequately address emerging human rights issues. This call for papers
seeks to critically examine the interconnections, synergies, and divergences between the international, regional and the
European human rights systems. We are particularly interested in contributions that
- Reflect on the legacy and relevance of the ICCPR and ICESCR in shaping European human rights law and practice.
- Analyze areas where the European human rights system has demonstrated leadership and innovation, serving as a model for other regions or the international system.
- Identify areas where the European system has fallen short and could benefit from lessons learned from the international or other regional human rights systems.
We welcome submissions from academics, practitioners, policymakers, and human rights advocates that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
The Legacy of the International Covenants on Human Rights in Europe
- How have the ICCPR and ICESCR influenced the development of European human rights law and jurisprudence?
- To what extent have European institutions, such as the ECtHR and the EU, integrated the principles of the
Covenants into their frameworks?
European Leadership in Human Rights Protection
- In which areas has the European human rights system set global standards or led the way in innovative
approaches? Examples may include the protection of privacy and data rights, the prohibition of torture, or the
advancement of LGBTQ+ rights.
- How has the European system influenced the development of international human rights norms and practices?
- What lessons can other regions or the international system learn from Europe’s successes?
Areas of Weakness and Opportunities for Learning
- Where has the European human rights system struggled to meet its obligations or adapt to new challenges?
Examples may include the protection of socio-economic rights, addressing systemic racism, or ensuring
accountability for human rights violations in conflict zones.
- How can the European system draw on the experiences of the international human rights system or other regional
mechanisms (e.g., the Inter-American or African human rights systems) to address these gaps?
Emerging Challenges and the Way Forward
- How can the European and international and regional human rights systems work together to address emerging
global challenges, such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and pandemics?
- What mechanisms or reforms are needed to enhance the interplay between the European and international
systems?
- How can civil society and other stakeholders contribute to bridging gaps and fostering collaboration between these
systems?
Authors will be invited to submit full contributions based on an abstract (max 500 words) that should be send by 5 December
2025. Abstracts should be submitted with a short bio to lisa.heschl@uni-graz.at. The deadline for submitting the manuscript is
end of March 2026.
The Yearbook is edited by representatives of the major Austrian human rights research, training and teaching institutions – the
European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy of the University of Graz; the Austrian Human
Rights Institute of the University of Salzburg and the Vienna Forum for Democracy and Human Rights – as well as the Global
Campus of Human Rights, Venice. It is published by Brill and all contributions are subject to a double-blind review process
ensuring the highest academic standards.'
