Blog post - Greetings from Davos: what prospects for human rights in 2026?

I am writing this blog post from the World Economic Forum in Davos. This week, as every year, the Swiss mountain tops become the epicentre for the world’s political and economic leaders, with hopes of carving out better prospects for peace and prosperity – and therefore, if I may argue, human rights. 

This global gathering is taking place as I conclude the first sixth months as EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights. Looking out at the Alpine peaks – looking much more pristine than the prospects for this coming year - I want to take a moment to reflect on both the impact of my work and frame my mandate in an increasingly volatile global context. We have already seen that 2026 has a lot in store for us – and that means more work on human rights for all of us.

Reflections on 2025

With the trembling world order, I deliberately prioritised engagements around the world over the corridors of Brussels. This took me from the UN in New York and Geneva to countries around the world to strengthen the EUs partnerships anchored in a robust human rights framework. My missions included Ukraine, Malaysia, Lebanon, Mexico and Egypt. I also co-chaired human rights dialogues with Colombia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, ASEAN and the African Union.

Throughout my engagements, I tried to find a more effective way to communicate about human rights, democracy and international humanitarian law, responding to today’s global context. To me, this means that we need to be extremely clear about the universality, inalienability and indivisibility of human rights, whilst also hearing our partners’ priorities and making sure the international system is more equitable. Throughout my engagements, I sent a message of mutual trust and support, basing my work on countries’ own human rights commitments.

Engaging with civil society has been a major priority for me from the beginning, their inputs informing the content of all my missions and engagements, including pressing for the release of human rights defenders or carving out space for independent media. Some of this work already bore fruit, but too many people remain unlawfully detained, deprived of their freedom for speaking out and defending universal human rights. 

Another priority objective was galvanizing support for the rules and institutions that seek to safeguard our common humanity and prevent barbarity, and making sure that those responsible for violations are held accountable. In all interactions, I underscored the importance of respecting international humanitarian law – including in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar and so many others - and standing up for the International Criminal Court. 

From the beginning, I communicated through monthly newsletters, social media posts, videos and interviews with traditional media outlets about my work, with the aim of making my work more visible for those that it is meant to serve. It continues to be priority for me to engage with young people, as human rights are the best safeguard of future generations.

What’s next?

In 2026, I will continue shedding light on both visible and invisible human rights crises, including Ukraine, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Iran, Sudan, the Sahel, DRC, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Haiti and others. Upcoming missions are likely to include Syria, Ukraine and Kenya. I will also continue to deepen the EU’s support and cooperation with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, to build a global alliance for human rights and ensure that a reformed UN continues to deliver on human rights. A functioning multilateral system is not a matter of nostalgia, it is essential for basic global service provision and keeping both Europe and the world safe.

We have entered a new phase in history. International law – including international humanitarian law, which seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict – is being increasingly disrespected. We have also witnessed powerful players actively undermining the rules-based international order, dismantling the international system as we know it, including the institutions at its core.

Civil society around the world – including those working on gender equality and women’s rights – are under immense funding strains, as government funds are being directed towards hard security.  Freedom of expression and media freedom are being curbed. Yet, strengthening civic space and civil society are long-term investments to make democratic societies more resilient and can even build the basis for future democratic leadership in authoritarian contexts.

In my former role as Minister of Defence, I learned that hard security cannot exist without soft security. It is tellingly “European” to speak of “comprehensive” or “societal security”. The very reason why we need hard security is to preserve the freedom and dignity of human beings.

What the EU should do

My wish for 2026 is that the EU assumes leadership in this new context. We need to project self-confidence on our human rights track record – including the institutions and mechanisms that hold us accountable - without alienating others. We must listen to our partners’ priorities on poverty, jobs, health, climate and displaced populations. Our tools in the direct neighbourhood may be more effective than in other parts of the world, but we should use all of the EU’s instruments and regulatory power to advance human rights. 

Even if others decide to take a different turn, we as the EU must continue leading by example and fight for the preservation of international law in a world where many seem to think that might makes right. We must also play a much more active role in debunking mis- and disinformation on the EU’s engagement on human rights and international humanitarian law. It is in the interest of certain powerful players to weaken the very essence of these global norms, and we should address this challenge. 

However, there are also many governments around the world that are working hard to make their societies better for their populations. Many also want to preserve and strengthen the multilateral system, and we need to forge stronger partnerships to this end. We owe it to future generations to protect what was hard-won by those before us. When we slide back on language, we are also likely to slide back on rights in reality.

Despite the natural beauty around me here in Davos, I can feel the world order shake to its foundations. This makes me think of Thomas Mann, who wrote his philosophical work ‘The Magic Mountain’ here, but was forced to interrupt his writing due to the outbreak of World War I. As humanity and as Europe we cannot let anything like this happen again.

What we need most is more confidence and less mistrust, more collective efforts and less self-interest. We need to acknowledge that respecting human rights and the rule of law is good for growth, investments and trade. They are needed for confidence and predictability. Those values are not built merely in conference halls as those here in Davos, but also inside communities. The EU needs to be present there too. 

Finally, I am deeply convinced that the EU needs to lead with empathy. We must consistently and visibly stand up for those who need us most, for victims of suppressors, wars, conflicts and violence. Human rights are about agency, and we need to do our utmost to keep spaces open for civil society, human rights defenders and journalists. As EUSR, I see this as my core task.