EU Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren argued that durable peace depends on addressing human rights grievances, not merely on ceasefires or military force, in an opinion article published on 26 June 2026 to mark the launch of the first United Nations Peacebuilding Week. Drawing on her experience as Netherlands' defence minister and her current role, Ollongren warned that without human rights, peacebuilding is unsustainable and that the international system must invest more in prevention, inclusion, and accountability.
Ollongren wrote that recent conflicts, including the situation in Syria, show that peace cannot be built solely through military means or memoranda. She stressed that societies must address injustices and abuses that fuelled violence, and fulfil rights to health, education, and livelihood. She noted that human rights are increasingly disrespected, with experts considering last year a tipping point. Ollongren also highlighted the limits of military power and the international system, pointing to Sudan as an example where the international community lacks tools and political will to protect civilians. She called for a reckoning to become more serious about prevention and to actively fight the erosion of international humanitarian law, including protecting the International Criminal Court.
Ollongren defended the European Union's role in peacebuilding, noting that most of the world's donor funds to make conflict less likely now come from the EU or its member states. She emphasised the EU's daily work through delegations, special representatives, quiet diplomacy, mediation support, and investment in governance and resilience. She singled out civil society and media freedom as the EU's greatest investment. The article, published by the European External Action Service, carries no prior coverage on the same topic in the last 180 days.