The European Convention on Human Rights

The European Convention on Human Rights

The European Convention on Human Rights, signed in Rome on 4 November 1950,

was the first instrument to crystallise and give binding effect to the rights set out

in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It lays down absolute rights which

can never be breached by the States, such as the right to life or the prohibition of

torture, and it protects certain rights and freedoms which can only be restricted

by law when necessary in a democratic society, for example the right to liberty and

security or the right to respect for private and family life.

A number of rights have been added to the initial text with the adoption of

additional protocols, concerning in particular the abolition of the death penalty,

the protection of property, the right to free elections or freedom of movement.

The European Court of Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights, judicial organ of the Council of Europe,

examines applications from individuals, but also inter-State applications, lodged by

a State against another State party to the Convention. Currently 47 countries have

undertaken to secure fundamental rights and freedoms, not only to their nationals

but to everyone, even non-Europeans, within their jurisdiction.