WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS?
The European Court of Human Rights is an international court, which has its seat in Strasbourg. It has a judge from each of the 47 Council of Europe member state. The judges of the Court act in their own capacity and are independent, they do not represent their respective member states. The Court is assisted by the Registry in processing the applications. The Registry consist mostly of lawyers from the members states, who are also independent from their countries of origin, as well as from the applicants.
WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS?
The European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is an international treaty, which can be and must be signed by the member states of the Council of Europe. The Convention has established the Court as well as determining its functioning and enlisting the rights and assurances that the member states have to respect.
WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS?
The Court's task is to enforce the European Convention on Human Rights. It is the Court's job to ensure that the states respect the rights and assurances within the Convention. This is done through the examination of the applications handed in by individuals or in some cases by states. The Court's decisions create obligations for the states and the Court's rulings must be executed by the states. The execution of the judgements of the Court are overseen by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
IN WHAT CASES CAN WE URN TO THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS?
Individuals can turn to the Court if they think that they have personally and directly been victims of a violation the European Convention on Human Rights or one of its additional protocols. An application can only be filed against a state that is party to the European Convention on Human Rights.
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