Constitutional Justice and the Global Rule of Law
On 1 September 2026, the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) and the Constitutional Council of the Republic of Mozambique convened an international conference in Maputo, Mozambique, bringing together senior public officials, judges and leading academics to examine some of the most pressing challenges facing the rule of law today.
Held at Indy Village in Maputo City, the conference placed particular emphasis on the role of constitutional justice, fundamental rights and public institutions at a time of growing pressure on democratic systems worldwide.
The event opened with institutional addresses from H.E. Rasaque Manhique, Mayor of the Maputo City Council; Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis representing the EPLO Global Rule of Law Commission; Professor Lúcia da Luz Ribeiro, President of the Constitutional Council of Mozambique; and H.E. Daniel Francisco Chapo, President of the Republic of Mozambique.
The Global Rule of Law Commission
A central presence at the conference was the EPLO Global Rule of Law Commission (GRoLC), established by the EPLO in cooperation with the United Nations system as part of the Global Rule of Law Initiative, launched at UN Headquarters in 2019.
The Commission brings together 22 distinguished personalities from around the world, following the principle of geographical representation. Its objective is to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the rule of law grounded in the universal values of the United Nations while taking account of cultural diversity. At the request of states, the Commission can also provide expert advice and engage with national authorities on questions concerning the application and development of the rule of law.
The Commission also produces an annual report on the Rule of Law, which is presented to the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. Its 2025 report focused on The Rule of Law in Africa, making the Maputo conference particularly timely as a forum for further discussion of the region's constitutional and institutional advances, innovations and challenges
Constitutional justice and fundamental rights
The conference's introductory session, “Constitutional Justice in Times of Democratic Backsliding: African Constitutional Courts and the Future of the Rule of Law Worldwide,” was moderated by Dr. Teresa Violante, Director of the EPLO Institute of the Global Rule of Law, with Professor Charles Manga Fombad of the Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa at the University of Pretoria as speaker.
The first major session turned to constitutional justice, the global rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights. Discussions examined the relationship between universal rule-of-law principles and constitutional identity, political history and cultural diversity, as well as the effectiveness of constitutional protections in practice.
Contributors included the members of the EPLO Global Rule of Law Commission Professor Carlos Feijó, Professor Lúcia da Luz Ribeiro and Judge Marisol Torres, as well as Professor Justino Justino and Professor Carlos Mondlane, bringing comparative perspectives from Africa and beyond, and was moderated by Distinguished Professor António Costa David Ucama (PhD), Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Catholic University of Mozambique.
Separation of powers, institutional integrity and public confidence
The afternoon session, “Separation of Powers, Institutional Integrity and Confidence in the Rule of Law,” explored the institutional foundations required for effective constitutional democracy.
Among the issues discussed were the reconstruction of electoral justice in Mozambique, the relationship between the rule of law and legal research, effective constitutional protection and access to justice, and the specific regime of rights, freedoms and guarantees under the Mozambican Constitution.
The session brought together EPLO Global Rule of Law Commission members Professor Paul Gowder and Judge Miriam Meßling with Professor Albano Macie, Professor Filomeno Rodrigues, followed by an open discussion, and moderated by Distinguished Master Elysa Vieira, Adviser to the President of the CC and Lecturer at FDUEM
A continuing global dialogue
The Maputo conference forms part of the EPLO's broader work to promote dialogue on the rule of law across jurisdictions and to strengthen connections between constitutional institutions, legal scholarship and public authorities.
It also reflects the work of the Global Rule of Law Commission in examining how universal principles of the rule of law can be understood and applied across different constitutional, political and cultural contexts — while identifying the common standards that underpin effective protection of rights and democratic institutions.
The conference concluded with remarks from Professor Spyridon Flogaitis, Director of the EPLO and member of the Global Rule of Law Commission, and Prof. Lucia da Luz Ribeiro, President of the Constitutional Council of Mozambique and member of the EPLO Global Rule of Law Commission.
The conference provided an important forum for dialogue between African and international constitutional scholars and practitioners, reinforcing the shared commitment to strengthening constitutional justice, institutional integrity and the rule of law.
