Birgit Van Hout is the Regional Representative for Europe leading the UN Human Rights Regional Office for Europe in Brussels since 2017. Previously, she worked to advance human rights, the rule of law, democracy and equality in Guatemala, Timor Leste, Bosnia, Central Asia, Palestine, Venezuela and Togo with various departments of the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. She holds an LL.M., a M.A. in International Politics, and a postgraduate degree in International Human Rights Law.