Recently, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has been in the news due to several high-profile cases. One such case involved Italy's claims to a contested Greek statue, where the ECHR ruled in favor of Italy's legitimacy. Additionally, the UK government's decision to instruct civil servants to refer ECHR injunctions to ministers for a final decision has sparked controversy. Furthermore, the UK's highest court rejecting the government's appeal over its asylum seeker policy has also brought attention to the ECHR's role in human rights issues.
The European Court of Human Rights, established by the European Convention on Human Rights, is a supranational court based in Strasbourg, France. It is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects fundamental freedoms and rights across member states. The court hears cases brought against member states for alleged violations of human rights and issues binding judgments. The ECHR plays a crucial role in safeguarding human rights and promoting the rule of law in Europe, ensuring that individuals have recourse to justice when their rights are infringed upon.