Legal Understandings of Equality and Non-Discrimination Examined in New Publication

21 August 2025

Our new publication, Equality and Non-Discrimination, edited by Professor Gloria Gaggioli and Dr Pavle Kilibarda, brings together cutting-edge scholarship on one of the most fundamental principles of international human rights law.

Based on contributions first presented at the 2021 Human Rights Week colloquium in Geneva, the volume examines contemporary challenges to equality across a wide range of contexts — from sexual orientation and gender identity, to the rights of indigenous peoples, to the impact of armed conflict and algorithmic decision-making.

It explores how international and regional human rights mechanisms — including the European Court of Human Rights, the Inter-American system, and United Nations treaty bodies — shape legal understandings of inequality and discrimination. The volume also addresses complex and emerging issues such as systemic racism, the intersection of gender and colonial legacies, and the risks posed by new technologies. Each chapter situates these developments within broader normative frameworks, while highlighting both progress made and persistent gaps in implementation.

By combining doctrinal analysis with empirical insights, this volume shows how equality and non-discrimination operate not as abstract ideals but as practical standards essential to the protection of rights in diverse societies. It calls for informed, context-sensitive approaches to ensure that law remains an effective tool against discrimination in all its forms.

Professor Gloria Gaggioli noted, 'The prohibition of discrimination is a fundamental right, enshrined in both human rights law and international humanitarian law. Sadly, this topic can never become passé, as discrimination continues to be a persistent scourge across the globe, including in armed conflict situations. In this book, new generations of scholars explore the many dimensions of discrimination in a brilliant and innovative manner, highlighting recent jurisprudence and shedding light on overlooked or little-known situations. Combating discrimination and inequalities, while recognizing the importance of diversity in all its forms, must remain at the heart of the international community’s priorities.'

Read the publication here.