About the ECHR
The European Court of Human Rights is primarily known as the instrument for protection of human rights guaranteed by the Convention. The Court rules on individual applications against the states-members to the Convention alleging violations of the civil and political rights provided by the Convention. However, along with protection of human rights the other main function of the Court is to protect the rule of law and democracy in Europe. For the last fifty years of its existence the Court elaborated an impressive case-law on rule of law requirements, and many of its judgments have led countries-participants of the Convention to alter their legislation and adopt reform measures in a wide range of areas, thus, promoting the rule of law in Europe.
