Dr. Kushtrim Istrefi

Biography

Kushtrim Istrefi is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University specializing in Public International Law and Human Rights Law. He has a distinguished academic and professional track record, particularly as the director of the Master's programme in Public International Law and as the co-founder and coordinator of the Research Platform on Peace, Security, and Human Rights. Previously, he was chairperson of the School of Law's Education Committee, focusing on developing new tracks and specializations in Conflict Security. He has supervised numerous master's and PhD theses and has a keen interest in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and its intersection with issues of international security. His published works span a wide array of topics including human rights in wartime, counter-terrorism, and judicial activism, notably contributing to the Companion on the ECHR with significant academic input. He is also co-editing several books on international dispute settlement and human rights accountability. With experience as a visiting fellow at prestigious institutes, Istrefi has litigated high-profile cases and advised on critical human rights issues, holding consulting roles in international law related to peace. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he actively engages with media on current developments in international law and politics.

Research Interests

Experience