KHRP has joined a list of signatories to a joint NGO appeal on the reform of the European Court of Human Rights, as the system for the protection of human rights in Europe comes under scrutiny. At a Conference in February 2010, States in Europe will take decisions which could bring welcome reform to relieve the Court’s backlog of cases. Conversely, the decisions taken could undermine a body that has provided redress for the victims of human rights violations in Europe for 50 years. People in Europe (future applicants to the Court) have an interest at least equal to that of the states in ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the Court. States should therefore inform the public about the debates and consult civil society in the lead-up to the Conference and throughout the reform process which follows it. KHRP supports the appeal’s proposals: to help potential applicants to the Court to be better informed about admissibility criteria; aimed at ensuring better implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights by states, such as improving domestic remedies or establishing effective ones where none exist; ensuring translation and dissemination of the Court’s case law and the screening of legislation for compliance with the Convention; to help potential applicants to the Court to be better informed about admissibility criteria; aimed at ensuring better implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights by states, such as improving domestic remedies or establishing effective ones where none exist; ensuring translation and dissemination of the Court’s case law and the screening of legislation for compliance with the Convention; and involvement of both national Parliaments and human rights institutions in this endeavour; guaranteeing a high standard of expertise and independence of the Court’s judges, selected in inclusive, comprehensive and transparent processes; to address the case backlog effectively through short-term measures; to enhance resources and methods related to the Committee of Ministers supervision of implementation of judgments.
Download the full Joint NGO Appeal with the list of signatories from KHRP’s website.
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