What is the European Court of Human Rights?
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is an international court which enforces the rights provided to citizens of the countries that make up the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe is an intergovernmental organization comprising 47 states, including all of the countries in the European Union. The purpose of the ECHR is to protect human rights in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights, a Convention to which all Council of Europe member states must adhere. The ECHR was established in 1959, and is one of the most respected international courts in the world. It is based in Strasbourg, France, and its judges are elected by the members of the Council of Europe. It has the power to hear complaints from individuals, groups of individuals, non-governmental organizations, or states who believe their human rights have been violated. In California, individuals have the right to submit an application to the ECHR if they feel their rights are being violated in a European state. This application can be made by a person physically present in California, as long as their particular rights are covered by the European Convention on Human Rights. The ECHR is an important court for protecting human rights, and its importance should not be underestimated. It is widely regarded as the cornerstone of modern international human rights law and its decisions have had a lasting effect on state policies, laws, and practices worldwide.
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