8.4b the European Convention of Human Rights

Question 1

what is it

Answer 1

• 47 signatory countries, including all 28 EU member states
• the purpose of it is to achieve ‘greater unity’ and a ‘realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms’
• 59 Articles and various protocols
• all member states include the ECHR within their national laws so any human rights case can be heard first within their home country

Question 2

UK’s 1998 Human Rights Act

Answer 2

the Human Rights Act 1998 is an Act of Parliament of the UK which came into force in 2000

• it incorporates the rights set out in the ECHR into British law

Question 3

controversies

Answer 3

some see ECHR as undermining national sovereignty when its rulings override national courts’ decisions

in 2015 the UK government proposed to replace the 1998 Act with something more ‘British’

Question 4

evaluation - is it effective in promoting human rights

Answer 4

• it has played an important part in developing an awareness of human rights in Europe
• criticisms of the Court are the length of time it takes to make rulings