The sixth annual Conference on Human Rights will focus on two topical issues of international concern: migration with a main focus on immigration issues; and topics related to propaganda and freedom of speech.

The topics under discussion this year include a survey of public opinion on human rights among the Estonian citizens and foreigners living in Estonia, questions related to collective human rights and propaganda that have changed people’s understanding of basic rights. In light of the migration crisis, we will examine the issue of who is and who has the right to be a European and if the concept of universal human rights is crumbling in a divided Europe, where we have witnessed the rise of new oppositions.

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In exercising our own liberties, we must not violate those of others.

Kersti Kaljulaid
The President of the Republic of Estonia, Patron of the Conference

As a result of the Kremlin’s propaganda, people in Russia are sure that in the absence of the current regime, the country will collapse – this is false.

Mihhail Hodorkovski
The Founder of the Open Russia movement

The Internet has the tendency to make us more closed; to seal us all in the bubble of our own beliefs as we interact with those similar to ourselves.

Dominique Reynié
French politician and Professor of Political Science at the Sciences Po

The advent of social media has led to a situation where facts and logic are no longer important; what’s important is emotion. In the new media, lies are spread extensively and with impunity.

Ülle Madise
Chancellor of Justice in Estonia

Democracy is not a one-time event. It is a process that needs care and love and that people would be open towards each other.

Madeleine Albright
Former United States Secretary of State

As a security issue, it is in all our interests that we would be surrounded by democracy.

Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Former President of Estonia and patron of the Annual Conference of Human Rights

The internet as a human right is something that the whole world is discussing. Only recently it was stated that online and offline rights are the same.

Dunja Mijatovic
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

Since the existing international human rights were not responsible for the status of indigenous peoples, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted.

Dalee Sambo Dorough
Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

I believe that we have achieved a lot on the Russian TV landscape and in the future quite a lot of space will be devoted to us in journalism textbooks.

Maria Makejeva
News anchor and deputy editor-in-chief at Russian independent TV "Rain" ("Дождь")

Establishing gender justice makes it possible to better see and understand the context in which we operate. It reduces risks and increases the effectiveness of our actions.

Marriët Schuurman
NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security

I asked what Putin would like to talk about and he said the Crimean issue. I said the Crimean issue is a Ukrainian issue - what interests can the Russians have in Crimea?

Mustafa Chemilev
Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for the Crimean People, Ukraine MP

If those responsible for the crime are in the government or get along well with them, it nullifies the work of the international court.

Vagn Joensen
President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda at the UN

Panelists