Mary Robinson

Delivering the keynote address at What’s Law Got to Do With It?, hosted by Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Museum of Literature Ireland in Dublin last Thursday, Mrs Robinson examined the consequences of weakening international law and the urgent need to defend the institutions established to uphold it.

“We live in an age where populism is in the ascendancy, driven by a combination of economic insecurity, falling trust in politics and institutions, a wave of disinformation and hate speech on social media and a pervasive feeling that leaders do not listen to ordinary citizens.”

Mrs Robinson addressed challenges facing the International Criminal Court, the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and the responsibilities of Ireland and the European Union in upholding international law.

She also highlighted growing threats to women’s rights and participation in political and peace processes, warning of efforts to reverse progress on gender equality.

Emphasising the importance of international law beyond the courtroom, Robinson pointed to the international legal agreements and cooperation underpinning everyday life, from aviation and cross-border trade to digital communications, vaccines, and responses to global health emergencies.

Her address underlined the importance of protecting international law not only as a framework for accountability, but as a foundation for international cooperation, human rights, and human dignity.

Gerard Keown, political director at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, addressed Ireland’s commitment to multilateralism, its forthcoming EU Presidency, and the importance of international accountability.

He reaffirmed Ireland’s support for the International Criminal Court and its independence, while also addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, developments in the West Bank, and the conflict in Sudan.

A panel discussion moderated by Dr Andrew Forde of Dublin City University brought together international human rights lawyer Aonghus Kelly, Zambian constitutional lawyer Linda Kasonde, and Northern Ireland human rights solicitor Darragh Mackin.

Mr Kelly examined the human rights responsibilities of major technology companies, including those headquartered in Ireland, and the implications of their business models and algorithmic systems.

Mr Mackin highlighted the pressures facing lawyers and the importance of solidarity within the legal profession. Referring to the recent Garvaghy Road dispute in Northern Ireland, in which his firm, Phoenix Law, represented local residents, he cited the case as an example of the rule of law in action, while emphasising the importance of what happens next.

Joining remotely from Zambia, Ms Kasonde warned of the spread of impunity and the consequences of weakening democratic institutions and judicial independence. She also called for greater international attention to conflicts and violence across Africa, including in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The event was attended by a delegation of six Ukrainian judges, led by Stanislav Kravchenko, president of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, as part of a judicial study visit to Belfast and Dublin facilitated by IRLI in cooperation with the EU Advisory Mission Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine), with support from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Maria McCloskey, executive director of Irish Rule of Law International, said: “International law cannot become a system of rules that applies only to the powerless, while those with political or military influence act with impunity. We are witnessing profound challenges to the international legal order, from attacks on the independence of international courts to the devastating consequences of global conflicts.

“The credibility of the rule of law depends on its consistent application. Governments, legal institutions, and the international community must be prepared not only to defend these principles in words, but to uphold them through meaningful action.”

A recording of Mary Robinson’s keynote address and highlights from the panel discussion will be released through IRLI’s podcast, The Justice Edit, on YouTube and Podbean.