Leading personalities from apex courts of all over the world gathered in the Spanish capital for the sixth Congress of the World Conference on constitutional justice, which took place from 28 to 31 October. Co-organised by the Constitutional Court of Spain and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, this year's Congress was themed "Human rights of future generations". Presidents and judges from around 90 of the 124 constitutional courts and equivalent jurisdictions which are members of the World Conference came together to discuss the essential role of constitutional courts in protecting the rights of generations to come.
Issues impacting future rights
Participants discussed the implications for the wellbeing of future generations of appropriate judicial responses to environmental degradation, digital connectivity and in particular access to new technologies and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Participants also reiterated the crucial importance of protecting courts from external pressure and from any form of threats to their independence, including digital populism and hate speech.
On the sidelines of the congress, meetings of regional and linguistic groups, the bureau, and the general assembly of the World Conference on constitutional justice were held on substantive, institutional and cooperation matters within the organisation.
The sixth Congress was closed by His Majesty the King of Spain Felipe VI, Ms Claire Bazy-Malaurie, President of the Venice Commission and Mr Cándido Conde-Pumpido Tourón, President of the Constitutional Court of Spain. The King underlined that "constitutional justice guarantees our freedoms: it is the last bulwark in the defence of the rule of law". Ms Basy-Malaurie underlined the need to bring the interests of young people and future generations into the courtroom, stating, "they have no vote in today's cases, but they bear the weight of our decisions".
The Constitutional Court of Spain
