Human Rights Flashcards
How can proceedings be commenced?
a. State applications -another signatory state
b. Individual petitions-individuals who allege convention rights breached as a result of domestic law
What must be shown when commencing a claim?
*Domestic remedies have been exhausted
*Within 4 months of domestic judgement
What are the 2 stages in the process?
- Admissibility stage-Single judge declares if app inadmissible if obvious from outset
- Merits stage-case heard by 3 member committee or chamber of judges
Can you appeal ECHR decision?
- . Admissibility stage=no
- . Merits stage=can ask case to be referred to grand chamber within 3mo (before chambers judgment final), Grand chambers judgement final
Remedies
a. Compensation
b. Requiring states to change law BUT decisions are only binding as matter of international law NOT domestic law
Meaning of ECHR being a living instrument
Generously interpreted, as understanding of HR may change with evolving social conditions
=NO strong system of precedent
Types of rights
*Absolute-CANT be interfered with
*Limited-Can only limit in defined situations
*Qualified-can interfere if prescribed by law, Pursuant to legitimate aim, proportionate (necessary in a democratic society)
Qualified rights: what is the meaning of Prescribed by law
*domestic law, written or unwritten
*must be accessible (in published form) and sufficiently precise
Qualified rights: what is frequently specified in convention as legitimate state aims?
□ National security
□ Economic well-being of country
□ Prevention of disorder/crime
□ Protection of health/morals
□ Prevention or disclosure of info received in confidence
□ Maintaining authority and impartiality of the judiciary
□ Public safety
□Protection of rights/freedoms of others
Qualified rights: what does a democratic society include?
tolerance of minority opinions/lifestyle
Qualified rights: what is the proportionality test?
- Does the aim justify the interference?
- Is the measure is rationally connected to the objective?
- Could a less intrusive measure have been used ?
- Need to strike a balance between the rights of the individual and interests of the community.
When can states derogate from the ECHR?
in time of war or other public emergency threatening the life of the nation
What rights CANT be derogated from?
- 2 life (EXCEPT deaths resulting from lawful acts of war)
- 3 torture, etc
*4(1) slavery
*7 retrospective criminal offences
What is article 2?
Life
Absolute (with exceptions defining its scope)
What is article 3?
Freedom from Torture, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment
Absolute, no limitations or exceptions
What is article 4?
Prohibition of Slavery and Forced Labour
Absolute
What is article 5?
Liberty and Security of the person
Limited
What is article 6?
Fair Trial
Absolute as to fair trial
Limited in relation to trial being in public
What is article 7?
No punishment without law
Absolute
What is article 8?
Right to Respect for Private and Family Life
Qualified
What is article 9?
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
Absolute in relation to thought, conscience and religion (in atheists)
Qualified in relation to manifestation of freedom in worship, teaching, practice or observation.
What is article 10?
Freedom of Expression
Qualified
What is article 11?
Freedom of (peaceful) Assembly and Association
Qualified
What is article 12?
To Marry
Absolute but according to national law (if restrictions aren’t arbitrary)
What is article 13?
Right for an effective remedy before national authorities for violations of rights under the Convention
What is article 14?
Protection from discrimination
What is article 15?
Derogation
What is article Art 1 Protocol 1
Protection of property
Qualified
What is Art 2 Protocol 1
to education
What is Art 3 Protocol 1?
right to free elections
absolute
What is art 1 protocol 13?
Abolition of death penalty
What is the effect of a right to life?
It:
□ Prohibits state from taking life
□ Places positive duty on state to protect life
Does a2 (life) prohibit the death penalty?
No but UK law does-cant be reintroduced except for acts committed in time of war/imminent threat of war
A2: when may force resulting in death can be used?
If no more than absolutely necessary:
1) To lawfully quell a riot/insurrection
2) In defence of any person from unlawful violence
3)To effect lawful arrest/prevent escape of lawfully detained
Does a2 (life) protect Embryos/foetuses?
No
Is the right to die read into the right to life?
no
A2: what is the duty to investigate?
Requires the state to carry out a full and thorough investigation where an allegation has been made that there has been a breach of Article
A3: what is ‘torture’?
deliberate inhumane treatment causing very serious and cruel suffering’
a3: what is ‘Inhumane treatment’
treatment/punishment ‘likely to cause actual bodily injury or intense physical and mental suffering
a3: what is ‘Degrading treatment’
‘treatment which humiliate or debases an individual showing a lack of respect for, or diminishing his/her human dignity or arouses feelings of fear, anguish or inferiority capable of breaking an individuals moral and physical resistance’
How does a2/3 relate to deportation?
Violation of art 2/3 if individual deported/removed/extradited to country where there was a real risk they might be killed, tortured or treated in any other way that would violate art 2/3.
a4: what is NOT forced/compulsory labour?
- work ordinarily done by convicted prisoners as part of sentence;
- compulsory military service
- work required in an emergency or calamity threatening the life or wellbeing of the community
- work forming part of normal civic obligations
a4: what is slavery?
‘the status or condition of a person over whom any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised’
a4: what is servitude?
an obligation on the part of the person who is the ‘serf’ to live on the property of another, and an inability for that person to change that condition.
a4: what is Forced/compulsory labour and what is considered when deciding what is?
work or service that an individual is forced to do against their will (circumstances must be considered inc. type of work, penalty if not carried out, level of hardship/oppression)
does human trafficking fall within a4 (slavery)?
Yes
a5: when can the state detain?
1)after conviction of criminal offence
2) ensure compliance with court order
3) Arrest on reasonable suspicion of having committed a criminal offence/prevent from committing an offence/prevent fleeing after having committed an offence
4) Minor for educational supervision
5) Mentally ill for own/others protection
6) In connection with asylum, deportation, extradition
a5: requirements for arrest and detention to be lawful?
- must be a breach/reasonable suspicion of breach of some known law
- give reasons for arrest and charge (promptly in language they understand)
- Prompt and fair trial
- JR available to challenge legality of detention
- right to compensation for breach of a5
a5: what are the Requirements to prevent deprivation of liberty from being arbitrary?
- Must be carried out in good faith (closely linked to purposes)
- Must be necessary (only justified when less sever measures have been considered and rejected)
- Length shouldn’t exceed whats reasonably required for purpose
- Proper records of reason must be kept
- Detention must be lawful in terms of national law of state
a5: what restrictions on movement DON’T engage article 5 bc don’t deprive individual liberty?
*Anti-Social Behaviour Order
*Football Banning Order
a5: can someone be deprived of their liberty without prison?
Yes but need:
1. significant element of physical confinement
2. AND significant restrictions on life that can be lived when not confined
a5: what is the ‘Kettling’ of protesters’ and when has it been held to not be a breach of a5?
Containing group in area for limited period in interests of public order.
Whilst the coercive nature, duration and effect of the containment suggested a deprivation of liberty, the context was significant:
*Police had no alternative and kept under review
*Dangerous conditions necessitating corden existed throughout
a6 (fair trial): how do you determine if something amounts to a criminal charge?
1) Does national law classify as criminal (rather than disciplinary or administrative)?
2) Court determines if the proceedings are similar to criminal trial? (eg. Finding of guilty/innocence/purpose is punishment)
What does A6(1) provide?
fair and public hearing within reasonable time by independent court (for civil and criminal)