Human Rights

ECtHR Prolongs Suspension of Georgia TV Judgment

March 21, 2017

The RFE/RL news service reports that the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has prolonged indefinitely its suspension of a judgment by the Georgian Supreme Court permitting the country's government to place an independent news station under the control of an ally of the governing party.
ECtHR: Russia Sent Prisoners Too Far from Families

March 20, 2017

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has held that Russia violated the rights of prisoners to respect for family life by incarcerating them in penal facilities ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 kilometers from the residences of their close relations and by refusing their requests to be transferred to closer locations.
Czech Proposal Offers Defense from EU Gun Policy

March 17, 2017

EurActiv reports that the Czech Government is debating a proposed amendment to the country’s constitution that would protect the right to own firearms for security purposes, in response to an EU Firearms Directive that aims to restrict gun ownership and coordinate gun policy across the bloc.
ECtHR Suspends Georgian Court's Media Decision

March 15, 2017

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has demanded the suspension of a judgment of the Georgian Supreme Court permitting a change in ownership of a television station until the ECtHR has an opportunity to hear a case on whether the change would violate European human rights provisions on freedom of expression.
CoE Promotes "Social Rights" Enforcement

March 14, 2017

The Council of Europe (CoE) recently hosted a meeting of legal practitioners and academics in Cyprus to discuss encouraging Europeans to use domestic and international courts to enforce their "social rights," including rights to "employment, housing, health, education, social protection and welfare."
CoE, EU Draft Migrant Detention Standards

March 14, 2017

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights has announced its participation in an effort, led by committees of the Council of Europe (CoE), to establish a set of European Immigration Detention Rules setting standards for the holding of migrants across CoE countries.
UK Confirms Delay of Bill of Rights Proposal

March 02, 2017

UK Justice Secretary Liz Truss has confirmed that the UK government will delay consideration of a British Bill of Rights proposal, which would seek to limit the influence of the European Court of Human Rights over British laws and courts, until after the country completes its exit from the EU.
Lawyers: EU Should Force UK to Remain in ECHR

March 01, 2017

The Independent reports that an open letter from a group of British lawyers calls for the EU to condition any post-Brexit free trade deal with the UK on the country remaining in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to prevent a "human rights crisis" in Britain.
CoE Official Outlines Right to Same-Sex Partnerships

February 28, 2017

In a recent comment, the Council of Europe's (CoE) Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks argues that CoE states have an obligation under international human rights law to offer at least registered partnerships, and to consider offering the right to marry, to same-sex couples.
FRA Seeks Role in Local Rights Enforcement

February 28, 2017

Representatives of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) recently met with their counterparts from the European Commission and the EU's Committee of the Regions to explore how the FRA might offer "regular policy advice to EU Institutions" and "increase the capacities" of regional and local authorities to respect and enforce fundamental rights.