The protection of human rights is a fundamental principle of post-World War II-policy in Europe. The strongest instrument is the right of any citizen to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The Ministerial Conference of the Council of Europe meeting on 18-20 April in Brighton will review the work of the ECHR. There is widespread concern that the right of the citizens to appeal and the independence of the Court are in danger. The Brighton Ministerial Conference on the Reform of the ECHR must make sure that the achievements in human rights protection are guaranteed for all citizens in the future.

Therefore, the European Movement International (EMI) asks the governments in Europe

Not to limit the right of individual petition,

Not to restrict the scope of protection through the rulings of the Court,

To make sure that the implementation of the Court’s rulings on the national level is better monitored.

Overall, the State Parties should agree to invest more resources in order to guarantee the good functioning of the European Court on Human Rights.

[ENDS]

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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 70 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.

For more information, please contact the secretariat: +32 (0)2 508 30 88, email: secretariat(at)europeanmovement.eu