Dominic O'Neill’s Post

JUSTICE has briefed all MPs and Peers on the importance of the UK's membership of the European Convention on Human Rights (the "ECHR"). We urge all those who support the ECHR to make their voices heard and ensure the importance of membership is more widely recognised.   The UK played a significant role in drafting the ECHR and has a leading role within the Council of Europe. Only two countries - Russia and Greece when it was a military dictatorship - have ever left the ECHR.   Withdrawal from the ECHR would: (i) endanger the Good Friday Agreement and Windsor Framework (ii) destabilise devolution; and (iii) harm international security cooperation.   The ECHR has significantly strengthened human rights protections across Europe and in the UK. There has never been a more important time for the UK to lead in the Council of Europe - supporting and promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the continent.

Ultimately, this comes down to a choice. Either we support the notion that governments, officials and others abide by law that aims to guarantee some basic level of equality and human dignity for each and every one of us. Or we support the notion that governments, officials and others may (even should) govern our lives according to power - in the interests and preferences of whoever may be best placed at any time to grab and retain it. Respect for human rights certainly does raise challenging questions from time to time, and - albeit far less than some political commentators may suggest - those questions can arise in truly controversial circumstances where the very real interests of each, many or some of us are potentially at stake in some ways that can be conflicting. However, disrespecting human rights doesn't remove challenging questions or circumstances - rather it permits these to be resolved in ways that simply ignore the very real interests of most or many of us in favour of interests (often not all that intrinsically important) of people with power. And those in the UK who suggest that Parliament can be the guarantor of our legal rights (of whatever nature) rather than Courts are not only fundamentally misunderstanding the UK constitutional system, they're fundamentally misunderstanding the capacity of Parliament.

No doubt the #ECHR - #EuropeanConventiononHumanRights is one of the most important modern-day documents codifying the #humanrights regime in our world today - it may be the first in regional agreements in contemporary history but it is not the only one. Documents such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights in 2001 or the American Convention on Human Rights in 1969 or the  ASEAN Human Rights Declaration in 2021 are to name a few. For the Islamic world the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam in 1990 following the Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights of 1981 are other examples. All demonstrate that the humans of this world that we live in all have something to say about the very rights that effect them. So when we celebrate ECHR and its birth 70 years ago, we need to remember and recall that it is a thread in the rainbow of fabric on human rights and but one color in that spectrum. Often that is forgotten in our discussions around this important topic and we need to remind ourselves of the true pluralistic reality and acknowledge it's truth, not just in name but substantially valuing the contributions by non-Europeans across the world, if we wish to create a better world in the time to come.

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is an efficient instrument for peoples rights. Thanks for this awareness raising and information page. The databank on cases and judgements is also very helpful. Nevertheless, sometimes its good to carefully decide if you chose to submit your complaint under ECHR or the UN human rights convention's complaint mechanisms,- Ootional Protocols. always before carefully consider.

In 2022 the United Nations finally declared that healthy #environment is a #humanright, and Council of Europe is engaged to promote it 👏👏

70 years ago today, the European Convention on Human Rights (#ECHR) came into force, and all 46 Council of Europe member states signed up to protect people's #HumanRights and basic freedoms. The ECHR has positively impacted people's lives in various ways across #Europe. Check out these 200 examples: https://lnkd.in/eyv_TWQx #CouncilOfEurope #EuropeanCourtOfHumanRights #OnThisDay

The most important document on the protection of #humanrights is 70 years old!

#OnThisDay 7️⃣0️⃣ years ago the European Convention on Human Rights entered into force. All 46 Council of Europe member states have signed up to the #ECHR, a treaty designed to protect people’s #HumanRights and basic freedoms. The ECHR has changed people’s lives in many different ways across #Europe. Here are just 200 examples: https://lnkd.in/eyv_TWQx #CouncilOfEurope #EuropeanCourtOfHumanRights

For 70 years, the European Convention on Human Rights has safeguarded the rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens across Europe. It is the foundation of our #HumanRights protection system in Europe. It is invaluable. Discover below how the #ECHR has changed lives ⬇. #NHRIs are key to ensuring implementation of the #ECHR, particularly nationally. They support implementation and execution of European Court of #HumanRights' judgments, advise governments, and collaborate with civil society and the Council of Europe. Learn more here ➡ https://lnkd.in/eprmdBRd