European Court of Human Rights

In a constantly changing legal landscape, understanding your fundamental freedoms is not just an advantage—it is a necessity. Many people have heard of “human rights,” but what does that mean in practice, and what steps should you take if they are violated? As a human rights lawyer, I often encounter individuals who are unaware of the mechanisms available for international protection.

In this article, we will break down the basics of international human rights law, the role of the European Court, and how professional human rights law firms can help restore justice.

What Are Human Rights and Why Do They Matter?

To answer the question “what are human rights,” we must look to the fundamental principles laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). These are inherent rights that every person possesses simply by virtue of being born, regardless of nationality, gender, ethnicity, or religion.

Why are human rights important? Because they limit the power of the state over the individual. They guarantee:

• The right to life and liberty.
• Freedom from torture and slavery.
• Freedom of opinion and expression.
• The right to a fair trial.

These norms are enshrined in specific human rights articles within various international covenants.

International Protection: From the UN to Strasbourg

When national courts are unable or unwilling to protect a citizen, international human rights mechanisms come into play.

The UN Level

At the global level, the UN Human Rights Council plays a key role. It is an inter-governmental body that discusses human rights issues worldwide. While individual complaints to UN committees are possible, for residents of Europe, a regional court is often a more effective mechanism.

The European Level (ECHR)

For citizens of Council of Europe member states, the primary instrument is the European Court of Human Rights. Its work is based on the document known as the European Convention on Human Rights.

What is the European Convention on Human Rights? It is an international treaty that signatory countries are legally bound to uphold. If a state violates the Convention, the victim has the right to file an application in Strasbourg.

Human Rights Violations: Examples from Practice

Unfortunately, human rights violations occur more frequently than one might think. Typical human rights violations examples that human rights lawyers deal with include:

1. Inhuman Detention Conditions: Overcrowded prison cells, lack of medical care (Violation of Article 3 of the Convention).
2. Unfair Trial: Denial of access to a lawyer, excessive length of proceedings (Violation of Article 6).
3. Property Rights Violations: Illegal seizure of land or business by the state (Protocol No. 1).
4. Dispersal of Peaceful Protests: Violation of freedom of assembly (Article 11).

Any reputable human rights organization or the advocates for human rights will confirm: timely documentation of the violation is the key to success in court.

The Role of a Human Rights Attorney

Many people ask: why do I need a human rights attorney if I can send a complaint to the ECHR by mail?

The reality is that European Court of Human Rights jurisdiction has strict admissibility criteria. More than 90% of applications are rejected at the filtering stage due to formal errors.

An experienced lawyer helps you to:

• Correctly classify the violation according to human rights law.
• Exhaust all domestic remedies (a mandatory requirement).
• Adhere to strict procedural deadlines (currently 4 months after the final domestic court decision).
• Monitor European Court of Human Rights news to use recent case law precedents in your favor.

Conclusion

Human rights laws are designed for your protection, but they only work when you know how to use them. If you are facing systemic arbitrariness, remember: justice can be found beyond national borders. The European Court for Human Rights remains the last hope for thousands of people every year.