Wolfgang Benedek

Wolfgang Benedek, born on February 14, 1951, in Knittelfeld, Steiermark, is an eminent Austrian jurist and emeritus professor of public international law. He served as the head of the Institute for International Law and International Relations at the University of Graz from 2003 to 2016. Throughout his career, Benedek has made significant contributions to international law, human rights education, and regional development. He co-founded the European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (ETC) in Graz and led numerous initiatives in Southeast Europe, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Serbia. His academic work spans international development law, human rights protection, refugee and asylum law, and human security. Benedek has received numerous honors, including honorary doctorates from the Universities of Sarajevo and Pristina, honorary citizenship of Sarajevo, and the Humanitarian Award from the Red Cross Heinrich-Treichl Foundation. He has served as a consultant for various international organizations, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, UNITAR, the UN Human Rights Centre, the European Community, UNESCO, and the Council of Europe. His recent work has focused on digital rights and online hate speech, including contributions to the Charter of Human Rights and Principles for the Internet. Beyond his academic pursuits, Benedek has been instrumental in establishing university human rights centers throughout Southeast Europe and has led significant educational projects in Africa, particularly in Uganda and Ethiopia.