On 20 October 2026, Klaudiusz Ryngielewicz, Deputy to the Registrar, participated in a panel discussion on democracy and human rights moderated by journalist Annette Gerlach, together with MEP Mounir Satouri and Sarah Tabani of the University of Avignon. The discussion, organised by the European Parliament and the European Movement - Alsace in cooperation with the National and University Library of Strasbourg, focused on the state of human rights in 2026 and the broader trend of democratic backsliding across Europe and beyond.

During the discussion, the Deputy to the Registrar highlighted the work of the European Court of Human Rights, the judicial arm of the Council of Europe, and explained its complementary role to that of the Court of Justice of the European Union in safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms, while also outlining their distinct mandates.

Addressing the sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC), Klaudiusz Ryngielewicz reiterated the message conveyed by the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, who expressed judicial solidarity with the ICC during his recent visit to The Hague. Drawing on concrete examples from the Court’s case-law, the Deputy to the Registrar also responded to questions from the audience on how the Court has protected human rights in areas such as migration and environmental protection.