Human Rights

ECtHR: Courts Must Examine UN Targeted Sanctions

June 27, 2016

The European Court of Human Rights has held that Swiss courts violated the right to a fair hearing of an Iraqi national sanctioned by the UN Security Council for his participation in the regime of Saddam Hussein because the courts declined to review whether the inclusion of the applicant on the sanctions list was "arbitrary."
Party Leader: Brexit Would Reduce Rights Protection

June 23, 2016

Confirming assertions by UK observers that the Court of Justice of the EU can use the European fundamental rights charter to strike down UK legislation, UK Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett writes that Britons should vote to remain in the EU to ensure that the ECJ continues to protect their human rights.
ECtHR: Beard Ban Violated Prisoner's Rights

June 16, 2016

The European Court of Human Rights has held that a Lithuanian prison's absolute ban on the growing of beards, with the aim of "preventing disorder and crime among prisoners," is a violation of prisoners' right to respect for private life.
CoE Report Criticizes Poland for Rule of Law "Erosion"

June 15, 2016

A report from Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks criticizes the Polish government and legal framework for a variety of abuses, including the government's dispute with the constitutional tribunal, surveillance legislation, public media regulation, and failure to introduce "comprehensive sexuality education" and legalize abortion.
ECtHR: Polish Detention Measures Violated Man's Rights

June 15, 2016

The European Court of Human Rights has held that the Polish authorities' prolonged solitary detention of a man accused of taking part in an international organized criminal group during his trial and placement in a cage in the courtroom during the criminal proceedings violated the man's rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
ECtHR: Gay Marriage Ban Does Not Violate Rights

June 14, 2016

The European Court of Human Rights has held, in the case of the annulment by French authorities of a marriage between two men before the country passed a law permitting gay marriage, that limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples did not violate the European Convention on Human Rights.
CoE Agents Express Concerns on Polish Media Law

June 10, 2016

Two representatives of the Council of Europe have drafted an opinion on a Polish "Big Media Law Package" expressing concerns about the impacts of the legislation on media independence and pluralism.
CoE Launches Convention on "Welcoming" Sports Stadiums

June 10, 2016

The Council of Europe has announced a new convention it will call on governments to sign during the EURO 2016 soccer tournament on ensuring the safety of sports stadiums during competition and also guaranteeing "a welcoming atmosphere inside and outside stadiums."
FRA Publishes Outline on Surveillance Research

June 09, 2016

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights has published a background document on its ongoing research regarding the impact of national intelligence authorities' online surveillance on fundamental rights and remedies for individuals who complain that these authorities have breached their right to privacy.
ECtHR: Russian "Insult" Sanction Violated Speech Rights

June 07, 2016

The European Court of Human Rights has held that a criminal fine of a Russian newspaper editor for publishing an article complaining of corruption on the part of a mayor violated the editor's right to freedom of expression, as the Russian courts failed to weigh this freedom against the mayor's "right to respect for reputation."