About the Programme_
The 47 member States of the Council of Europe enjoy the protection of the European Court of Human Rights. Although this is one of the most effective regional mechanisms for the protection of human rights, in many areas the jurisprudence of the Court is relatively undeveloped, notably as regards equality issues. At the same time, new state practices, particularly in the area of counter-terrorism, are posing serious challenges to existing human rights standards. INTERIGHTS has sought to strengthen the jurisprudence of the Court through litigation either in partnership with local lawyers or independently through third party interventions.
The absence of specialist skills and experience on the European Convention on Human Rights in some of the Council of Europe’s new member States can significantly limit the effectiveness of the protection provided by the European Court of Human Rights. For this reason, INTERIGHTS has for many years provided specialist and highly practical training for lawyers focusing on Convention rights, enabling them to approach the Court more effectively.
Announcements_
Promoting Women's Human Rights in Central and Eastern Europe INTERIGHTS has recently begun a new project to provide expert support to lawyers and NGOs in the region working on women’s human rights cases before the European Court of Human Rights. The focus of litigation work will be on violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual violence and sexual harassment.
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European Court: Roma Children Denied Right to EducationThe European Court of Human Rights ruling that the Czech government engaged in indirect discrimination against Roma children is a major step forward in implementing the European Convention on Human Rights, Human Rights Watch and INTERIGHTS said.
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Litigation_
The European Court of Human Rights declined to review its judgment in the important case of Tysiac v Poland, despite a request to do so by the Polish Government
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INTERIGHTS provided written details to the European Court of Human Rights of their complaint against Russia regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of former Chechen leader Aslan Maskhadov.
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Capacity Building and Standard Setting_
To assist INTERIGHTS' work in delivering ECHR training programmes, we have designed legal manuals for use by the national trainers and lawyers participating. These manuals are now available online.
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The first session of INTERIGHTS’ training for Croatian lawyers on the European Convention of Human Rights took place in Tuheljsko Toplice, Croatia, from 6-10 February 2008.
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