The Impact Of The European Convention On Human Rights On Russian Law

This book analyzes the practice of Russia honoring her legal obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR): to secure to everyone within its jurisdiction the rights and freedoms defined in the Convention (Article 1 of the ECHR). The study comes to the conclusion that the impact of the ECHR on the Russian legal system, in terms of its implementation by domestic courts, is unsatisfactory. The jurisprudence of the Supreme Court and Supreme Arbitration Court is an attempt to demonstrate to the Council of Europe that the ECHR is being applied, rather than to implement the ECHR. In contrast, the jurisprudence emerging from decisions of the Russian Federation's Constitutional Court and district courts indicates a better understanding of the spirit of the ECHR. Still, the rare instances in which domestic courts implemented the ECHR were, more often than not, prompted by applicants' arguments based on ECHR case-law, rather than by the courts. The book suggests methods of ensuring a more effective implementation of the ECHR's provisions within Russian national law. It develops recommendations on how to assess the Russian government's compliance with judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, and how to interpret explanations submitted by Russia to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on her implementation of the ECHR.

In Russia and European Human-Rights Law: The Rise of the Civilizational Argument, Lauri Mälksoo and his co-authors critically examine Russia's experiences as part of the European human-rights protection system since its admittance to the Council of Europe in 1998. The authors combine legal and constructivist international-relations theory perspectives in studying Russia's practice and rhetoric as a member of the Council of Europe and a subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights. Certain aspects of human-rights doctrine and practice in Russia are particularly highlighted: the increasing impact of Orthodox Christian teachings on the Russian government's ideology, the situation with media freedom, freedom of religion, etc. The authors draw widely on Russian sources and media. The questions whether modern-day Russia truly fits in the human-rights protection system of the Council of Europe, and whether a margin of appreciation will suffice when dealing with Moscow, are highly relevant in contemporary European politics.

Why has there been a human rights backlash in Russia despite the country having been part of the European human rights protection system since the late 1990s? To what extent does Russia implement judgments of the Strasbourg Court, and to what extent does it resist the implementation? This fascinating study investigates Russia's turbulent relationship with the European Court of Human Rights and examines whether the Strasbourg court has indeed had the effect of increasing the protection of human rights in Russia. Researchers and scholars of law and political science with a particular interest in human rights and Russia will benefit from this in-depth exploration of the background of this subject.

A critical examination of the effect of the European Court of Human Rights on Russia's approach to human rights.

Civil rights is a category of human rights that include individual personal freedom, privacy, personal security, a right to life, dignity, freedom from torture, freedom of movement and residence, and freedom of conscience. Such rights differ from the political, economic, social, and cultural rights guaranteed by the International Bill of Rights. The challenge of enforcing these rights has been acute throughout the world, but Russia in particular has experienced unique and significant difficulties. Until now, the theoretical literature dealing with the legal characteristics of civil rights, how to realize them, and how to protect people from their infringement, has been wanting. This timely and comprehensive volume rectifies this lapse, especially as civil rights enforcement relates to Russia. It draws on a wealth of materials, including reports and statistical data from the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Ombudsman of the Russian Federation, and several Russian offices of state. The contributors, comprised of researchers, judges, lawyers, and legal authorities, are all experts in human and civil rights and bring a fresh perspective to these issues. They analyze international law, Russian legislation, and decisions of the European Court and the Constitutional Court of Russia each from a humanistic stance. While the authors represent different age groups, occupations, and approaches, they are in agreement on the necessity of protecting civil rights; expanding and developing their guaranty both in Russia and all over the world. Civil Human Rights in Russia dispels many of the myths about Russia and its attitude toward civil rights, especially as regards to the stereotype that the Russian people do not know about such rights, nor care about human dignity. The authors of this volume make clear that Russia has been instrumental in the formation and recognition of universal human rights. The Russian contribution builds on those established by the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights, and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This volume is a fundamental contribution to the literature, one that will help the reader to understand the essence of civil human rights and how they may be implemented and enforced in the twenty-first century.

The author traces the development of the introduction of European standards on the right to education in Russian legislation. A legal analysis is conducted for the period 1992-2004. The legislative reform is thereby set in the context of Russian history and the present societal context of Russia.

This work analyzes the interaction between international law and the Russian legal system at a level of detail and sophistication without precedent in Russian legal doctrine. This topic has become vital for Russian courts because generally recognized principles and norms of international law and international treaties have become part of the Russian legal system since the Constitution of Russia was adopted in 1993. Great attention is paid in this study to Russian judicial practice in applying customary and treaty norms (the author had access to unpublished decisions in the archives of the Russian Supreme Court and other courts of the Russian Federation). The book also gives attention to the impact of decisions of international organizations and the practice of the European Court for Human Rights. The author sets out the legal foundations of the interaction between international law and municipal law in relations between subjects of international and national law, and he addresses at length whether and when the direct application of international legal norms is possible in the domestic legal relations of Russia. The book raises to a new level the continuing discussion of the correlation of international and national law. Classic concepts of monism and dualism cannot cope with all aspects of the interaction of international and national law. International Law and the Russian Legal System will be of interest to academics, practicing lawyers, government legal advisors, and investors.

The European Court of Human Rights has long been part of the most advanced human rights regime in the world. However, the Court has increasingly drawn criticism, with questions raised about its legitimacy and backlog of cases. This book for the first time brings together the critics of the Court and its proponents to debate these issues. The result is a collection which reflects balanced perspectives on the Court's successes and challenges. Judges, academics and policymakers engage constructively with the Court's criticism, developing novel pathways and strategies for the Court to adopt to increase its legitimacy, to amend procedures to reduce the backlog of applications, to improve dialogue with national authorities and courts, and to ensure compliance by member States. The solutions presented seek to ensure the Court's relevance and impact into the future and to promote the effective protection of human rights across Europe. Containing a dynamic mix of high-profile contributors from across Council of Europe member States, this book will appeal to human rights professionals, European policymakers and politicians, law and politics academics and students as well as human rights NGOs.