Council of Europe Strasbourg

The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, better known as the European Convention on Human Rights, entered into force on 3 September 1953.

Ahead of the anniversary, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said: “The European Convention on Human Rights is a unique safety net protecting more than 830 million people.

“Whether applied by national courts or the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, the Convention has changed people’s lives in many different ways across the whole continent.

“It has played a key role in promoting stability and security in Europe over the last 65 years and, at a time when the continent is facing many serious challenges, its safeguards remain as crucial as ever.”

The Convention is a legally-binding international treaty that has been signed and ratified by all 47 member states of the Council of Europe.

When joining the Convention, states voluntarily commit to upholding people’s basic rights and freedoms including the right to life, the right to a fair trial and the right to free speech.

Individuals can bring complaints against member states to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which has the final say on interpreting the Convention and its case-law.

Member states are obliged to implement judgments from the Strasbourg Court.

Read full press release - “A safety net for the people of Europe”: 65 years of the European Convention on Human Rights