European Court of Human Rights
European Court Sidesteps Exacerbating UK Conflict in Hearsay Case
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) averted a possible conflict with the United Kingdom in December by overturning a lower Chamber ruling that almost completely barred the use of hearsay evidence to convict…
Decision Upholding In Vitro Fertilization Ban Relies on Lack of European Consensus
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled on November 3 that no census has emerged on the continent to make in vitro fertilization a human right that requires protection. The decision comes only four years after the ECtHR concluded…
Two Decisions Expand Extraterritorial Jurisdiction of European Court
Judicial enforcement of human rights violations during foreign intervention was expanded by two Grand Chamber decisions handed down by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in July 2011. Both cases arise from the war in Iraq, where…
ECtHR Decision for Russian Oil Company Emphasizes Focus on Procedural Human Rights Violations
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled on September 20, 2011, that Russia violated defunct Russian oil company Yukos’ rights to property and a fair trial but dismissed charges that the acts were politically motivated. The case of Yukos…
The UK Defies European Court of Human Rights by Denying All Prisoners the Right to Vote
Six years after the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that the United Kingdom’s law denying prisoners the right to vote is a violation of Article 3 of Protocol No. 1 of the European Convention…
Right to Freedom of Expression Narrowed at European Court
Contracting States to the European Convention on Human Rights enjoy broad discretion when assessing emblems whose public display could incite tensions, the European Court of Human Rights (Court) found in Donaldson v. the United Kingdom on February 7,…
Court Rules on Ireland Abortion Rights Cases
A long-awaited decision by the European Court of Human Rights regarding abortion rights in Ireland evinced claims of victory from both sides of the debate, but plenty of questions still remain regarding implementation of the decision. On Dec. 16, 2010,…
European Court Institutes Priority Policy For Hearing Claims
In accordance with an amendment to its Rules of Court, the European Court of Human Rights (Court) will now hear cases based on the urgency of a violation, as opposed to the chronological order of receipt. The change will ensure…
Sudsidiarity and the European Court: A Solution for Non-Compliance?
The European Court of Human Rights (Court) risks drowning under a massive case load unless the national courts of EU member states and legislators show more respect for the Court’s judgments, said Christos Pourgourides, Chairperson of the Committee…
European Court of Human Rights Upholds Turkish Journalist’s Right to Freedom of Expression
On September 14, 2010, in a unanimous Chamber decision upholding the right to freedom of expression, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Turkish authorities violated Articles 2, 10, and 13 of the European Convention on Human…
