Introduction To The European Convention On Human Rights

The model system created by the European Convention on Human Rights is internationally renowned. The rights it protects are among the most important, covering not only civil and political rights, but also certain social and economic rights, such as the right to respect for personal possessions. The European Court of Human Rights stands at the heart of the protection mechanism guaranteeing these rights. It is now an entirely judicial system since the adoption and entry into force of Protocol No. 11, which reorganised the whole system and extended the Court's jurisdiction. The Court's excessive caseload is a problem, though, and this has led to the further improvements contained in Protocol No. 14, designed to strengthen the operation and effectiveness of the Court.

"Respect for human rights lies at the heart of what it means to be European" (Martyn Bond) The right to life, prohibition of torture, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression, the right to marriage... Did you know that these rights and many others are protected by the European Convention on Human Rights? The author of this book illustrates each of these rights in a simple and clear way, using specific examples. He also sets the action of the European Court of Human Rights in the wider context ofCouncil of Europe activities pursuing the same ideals. Martyn Bond is a journalist who has reported from London, Brussels, Strasbourg and Berlin. He is also a former European civil servant. Over the past half century he has witnessed and reported on many of the events that have shocked or amused, delighted or disturbed European readers, listeners and viewers. He firmly believes that respect for human rights lies at the heart of what it means to be European.

3.3. Procedure of the Court

European Convention on Human Rights – Article 10 – Freedom of expression 1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises. 2. The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary. In the context of an effective democracy and respect for human rights mentioned in the Preamble to the European Convention on Human Rights, freedom of expression is not only important in its own right, but it also plays a central part in the protection of other rights under the Convention. Without a broad guarantee of the right to freedom of expression protected by independent and impartial courts, there is no free country, there is no democracy. This general proposition is undeniable. This handbook is a practical tool for legal professionals from Council of Europe member states who wish to strengthen their skills in applying the European Convention on Human Rights and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in their daily work.

Now available as an ebook for the first time, the fourth edition of this book provides a comprehensive introduction to the most advanced international human rights system in the world – the European Convention on Human Rights. Full account is taken of developments to the Convention case law and the supervisory arrangements in the form of Protocol No. 11, together with relevant developments outside Strasbourg, including the human rights aspects of the EU and the Organisation for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE). Reviews the new European Court of Human Rights, set up in 1998, and contrasts it with the original arrangements for supervising the Convention. Examines the relations between the Convention and other human rights arrangements, such as the OSCE and the European Social Charter. A valuable title in the Melland Schill Studies in International Law series.

This third edition of the Short Guide, which covers developments to the end of 2003, provides a concise overview of the basic rights guaranteed by the Council of Europe's Convention on Human Rights, and the case-law relating to these rights. The publication also details the procedures followed by the European Court of Human Rights when handling applications under the Convention, and the role of the Committee of Ministers as a supervisory organ in giving force to the judgments of the Court.

The European Convention on Human Rights guarantees equality among human beings by means of two provisions that prohibit discrimination: On the one hand, Article 14 of the Convention, ratified by all member states of the Council of Europe; and, On the other hand, The first article of Protocol No. 12, ratified by only some of the members. The content of the prohibition laid down by these two provisions is the same, The only difference is in the extent of their scope: whereas Article 14 prohibits discrimination in the "enjoyment of rights and freedoms set forth by the present Convention", The first article of Protocol No. 12 prohibits discrimination in a broader sense in the "enjoyment of all rights set forth by law". This study proposes an insight into the case law of the European Court of Human Rights on discrimination with respect both To The main principles which guide its implementation and To The specific solutions which the Court has adopted in relation to discrimination. Other questions examined include the scope of the prohibition of discrimination (to what does it apply?), The question of the content of such a prohibition (what precise obligations does it imply?), and last, The question of a judicial review (how does the Court assess compliance with it?).The "Human rights files" series is aimed at specialists in European law: lawyers, practitioners and research students. it also constitutes a useful resource For The implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights in the signatory states.