Statement by the Director-General, Ms. Jan Beagle
61st Session of the Human Rights Council
High Level Segment
Geneva, 23 February 2026
Mr. President, Mr. High Commissioner, Excellencies,
It is a privilege to address the Council at this time when the human rights project stands at a crossroads.
Trust in institutions is fragile.
Inequality is deepening.
Impunity for human rights violations remains widespread.
And digital technologies are reshaping public life in ways that can either protect, or undermine, fundamental freedoms.
The central question is not whether human rights remain relevant.
They do.
It is whether they work.
And sadly, far too many people experience human rights as distant promises.
When international human rights treaties are signed, but not enforced, rights remain aspirational.
When equality is enshrined in law, but women and minorities remain excluded from large parts of public life, rights remain theoretical.
The International Development Law Organization strongly believes that human rights become real when they are embedded in laws, administered by competent institutions, and accessible to all.
In other words, when they are protected by the rule of law.
The present moment demands not only reaffirmation of principles, but increased focus on implementation, on action.
As a treaty-based intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to advancing the rule of law, IDLO brings legal expertise, field presence, and a bridge between international norms and national implementation.
Drawing on our four decades of experience in some hundred countries, allow me to share three ways in which the rule of law can tangibly advance human rights.
First, the rule of law makes rights enforceable. It ensures that rights holders have avenues for redress, and that duty bearers are held accountable.
Independent judiciaries, capable justice officials, effective coordination, and accessibility for justice seekers are the essential infrastructure of rights protection.
In Uganda, for example, IDLO has been strengthening the national response to gender-based violence.
Our approach strengthening the capacity of public officials and expanding access to legal aid has reduced case backlogs and improved conviction rates: from 20 per cent to 70 per cent over the past six years.
Second, the rule of law promotes stability and builds resilience. It remains a shared value that unites.
In fragile and conflict-affected settings, fair dispute resolution mechanisms can prevent grievances from escalating into violence.
IDLO works in the Sahel, to reduce impunity, arbitrary detention, and case backlogs, which are drivers of conflict, migration, and violent extremism.
In Niger, our interventions helped reduce pretrial detention times from 16 years in some cases, to under one year for over 70 per cent of detainees.
Third, the rule of law can accelerate the realization of social and economic rights.
Secure property rights, predictable regulatory environments, and accessible commercial justice systems enable inclusive economic growth.
When contracts are enforceable and corruption is deterred, economic opportunity expands. This contributes directly to social cohesion and stability.
In Kenya, IDLO’s support to the establishment and expansion of Small Claims Courts has transformed access to commercial dispute resolution for small businesses and informal traders.
In 2025 these courts resolved over 155,000 cases, achieving a 98% clearance rate with most cases resolved in less than 8 weeks.
By strengthening the rule of law, we make human rights practical, visible, and sustainable.
In doing so, we reinforce peace, advance sustainable development, and renew confidence in multilateral cooperation.
Mr. President,
If we are serious about reversing the global decline in human rights and the rule of law, we must match our words with action.
We need renewed political commitment to safeguard the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of accountability institutions.
We need sustained financial investment in justice sector reform, digital innovation, professional training, and legal empowerment.
We need to close the justice gap for women and girls.
Strengthening the rule of law is preventive action.
It reduces the risk of conflict. It deters corruption. It builds resilience against authoritarian drift.
It protects both civil and political rights and economic and social rights.
IDLO supports its partners to develop and implement practical rule of law solutions that connect international norms with local realities.
My colleagues and I look forward to working with you to stand up for the rule of law, and to ensure that it remains at the forefront of global efforts to promote human rights.