The Maastricht Centre for Human Rights Mourns the Passing of Theo van Boven

It is with profound sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of Theo van Boven.  

As the founding father of our Centre, together with Prof. dr. Cees Flinterman, Theo was instrumental in guiding the direction of our Centre for many years and inspiring colleagues with his passion and integrity.   

Theo dedicated his life to the pursuit of social justice and the protection of human rights, even when he faced great challenges in doing so. Among his many high-profile, appointed positions, Theo was head of the UN Human Rights Division in the late seventies/early eighties; and he served as Special Rapporteur for the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities from 1986 to 1991; Special Rapporteur for the Rights of Victims (1990–1993), as well as Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading treatment or Punishment from 2001 to 2004. Theo was also a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (1993-1999), Registrar of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (1994), and Vice-president and Commission Member of the International Commission of Jurists. In all of those roles, Theo showed his pioneering spirit and often initiated the drafting of key human rights principles, such as those on reparation.  

Recently, we honoured Theo in the 2026 Theo van Boven lecture, in which his many achievements were laid bare, and colleagues and friends of Theo recalled stories of his inspirational contributions to the field as well as his special personal attributes. As a Centre, we will continue to honour Theo's work and life's mission to protect human rights. We will assure that Theo's pioneering spirit and guiding light continue to burn bright in the work of our Centre.