“As competences of local authorities for policy fields and service delivery grow, so do their responsibilities in terms of human rights promotion and protection,” stated Harald Bergmann (Netherlands, ILDG), Congress spokesperson on human rights, during the 2022 Academy and Conference on Human Rights at the Local and Regional Levels.

The event was held remotely on 7 February 2022 and aims to contribute to the United Nations vision of protecting and promoting human rights for all by informing local governments on how to deliver on their related obligations, as well as to the goals set by the 2030 Agenda, and its promise to “Leave No One Behind”.

“The exercise by citizens of their rights begins and is felt most in our communities. This is why we are convinced that local authorities are the first line of defence of human rights but also the launching pad for their application,” stressed Harald Bergmann. “More than ever, we need local and regional authorities that are aware of human rights”, he added underlining the context of increased migration, the rise of radicalisation and violent extremism, strengthening of populism and hateful political discourse in Europe and elsewhere.

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