- The European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms was adopted in Rome on 4 November 1950. The convention entered into force for Estonia in 1996. There are also several additional protocols to the convention.
- The ECHR has been based in Strasbourg since 1998. The ECHR has jurisdiction over all 47 member states of the Council of Europe. The decisions of the ECHR are binding to the states against which they are made.
- Both individuals and states can submit complaints to the ECHR. Any person who considers that their rights or freedoms protected by the convention or the additional protocols thereto have been violated may apply to the ECHR.
- Before applying to the ECHR, a person must have exhausted the existing appeal possibilities in Estonia. An appeal to the ECHR must be lodged within 6 months of the final domestic judgment.
- The Government of the Republic of Estonia is represented in the proceedings of the ECHR by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where a representative of the Government of the Republic in the ECHR works.
European Court of Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is an international court established in 1959. The ECHR decides on alleged violations of civil and political rights enshrined in the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
