European Convention on Human Rights
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is an important treaty that was agreed by the Council of Europe in 1950.
The ECHR protects civil and political rights, such as the right to a fair trial, the right to express your views, the right to life and the right to privacy.
The ECHR includes these rights:
- The right to life
- The right to be kept safe from torture or humiliating treatment
- The right to be kept safe from slavery
- The right to be free and secure
- The right to a fair trial (this includes the right to privacy for children in trouble where the court thinks it is necessary)
- The right not to be punished for something you did that wasn’t against the law when you did it
- The right to respect for your private and family life
- The right to think and believe what you like – freedom of thought, conscience and religion
- The right to say what you like – freedom of expression
- The right to hang out with other people and share ideas – freedom of association
- The right to get married
- The right to get and receive help if your rights are ignored.
Article 14 of the ECHR says that all the rights and freedoms in the ECHR belong to everyone without discrimination. This means the Convention applies equally to children and young people.
European Court of Human Rights
The ECHR has its own court, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. This allows people (including children) who think their government has failed to protect their rights under the ECHR, or acted against those rights, to take their case to the European Court. Governments must respect the Court’s decision.
It is unusual for a human rights treaty to have its own court, which is why the European Court of Human Rights is particularly important for protecting children’s rights.
