Rechtsstaat Parade (Rule of Law Parade)

On Thursday, September 10, 2026, Utrecht University is organising the Rule of Law Parade, a free event, at the Neude Library in Utrecht. Researchers, writers, theatre makers, and visitors will engage in conversation about the democratic rule of law. What exactly is a rule of law? What is going well and what should be improved? And how can you participate in improving the rule of law? Like a parade, various aspects of the democratic rule of law will be addressed in multiple rooms of the public library. Join us!

This year, the "Rechtsstaat Parade", will have an English track.

Panel: Equality in the Age of AI: Challenges for the Rule of Law

This panel brings together researchers, practitioners, and experts from the public and private sector to explore how artificial intelligence shapes equality and poses challenges for the rule of law — and what we can do to ensure AI systems serve everyone fairly.

Moderator: Georgina Kuipers is co-dean and senior researcher at the Netherlands School of Public Administration (NSOB), specialising in governance, policy, and the relationship between government and citizens. With her background in public institutions and democratic governance, she is a strong discussion leader for a session on AI, equality, and the rule of law.

Panellist: Sarah Rezaei is Associate Professor of Economics at the Utrecht University School of Economics. Her research combines behavioural economics, experimental economics, and labour economics to understand how people make decisions in education and labour markets, including in response to emerging technologies. She also studies how employers navigate algorithmic selection tools.

Panellist: Angelos Chatzimparmpas is Assistant Professor in Computer Science at Utrecht University, specialising in Explainable AI and the visualisation of machine learning models. His research focuses on making complex AI models more understandable and trustworthy, and he will bring a technical perspective to the panel on issues such as algorithmic bias, hallucinations, and deepfakes.

Panel Foundations of a Just Society: Human Rights and the Rule of Law 

Join us for a public discussion on the vital role of human rights and the rule of law in building and sustaining just societies. The expert panellists will explain these concepts and frame them in relation to our daily lives, illustrating the relevance of human rights for everyone everywhere. Drawing on their expertise from academia, international human rights mechanisms, and public advocacy, the panel will explore contemporary challenges and opportunities in the protection of human dignity, equality, and justice.

Tina Stavrinaki: Assistant Professor in Human Rights and International Law. She currently serves as elected Member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Vice-Chairperson 2022-2024 and Rapporteur on the General Recommendation on racial discrimination and the right to health). She teaches International Human Right Law, Racial discrimination and Health. 

Alma Mustafić: Alma survived the Srebrenica genocide; her father did not. She now works as a teacher and researcher at Hogeschool Utrecht, specializing in genocide and human rights. She is also Human Rights Ambassador for the City of Utrecht, appointed in 2024. Her areas of expertise are , next to genocide and human rights violations also (post-war) community development, and social justice. 

Brianne McGonigle Leyh: is Professor of Global Justice Studies at Utrecht University. Her areas of expertise include human rights law, international criminal law, transitional justice, victims’ rights, and the documentation and accountability of serious human rights violations. In an era where the rule of law faces mounting challenges both nationally and internationally, McGonigle Leyh believes universities and societal partners play a vital role in promoting and protecting justice worldwide.