Execution of judgements of the European Court of human rights

Abstract

For fifty years the European Convention on Human Rights has contributed substantially to the maintenance of democratic stability and the rule of law, as well as the protection of human rights in Europe. But that contribution depends on the good faith of the states parties to the Convention. By signing it, they have undertaken to abide by the final judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in cases to which they are parties, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe being responsible for supervising the execution of the judgements. There is, however, no provision in the Convention for sanctions to be taken if judgments are not executed. Yet failure to execute judgments undermine the whole system of protection.