The right to family life in the European Union : with particular reference to Malta, Spain and England

Abstract

Human Rights are anchored in the history of the European Union and they are a key principle for further progress and protection for the EU citizens and those surrounding them. This research aims at introducing the historical approach of the European Convention on Human Rights and its attention to the enhancement of the concept of family life. The aims of this research is an interpretation of Article 8 in general and to further examine the right to family life as seen through European Court's Case law. The European Court of Human Rights has also shown a trend to give a wide interpretation to the concept of family life - an interpretation in line with modern life and new technology. This analysis may be seen with special attention given to Malta, England and Spain. One may also note the different changing systems that are occurring in the family in Europe. The traditional family is faced with many challenges to change which have given the rise to further increase the protection of the family.