New Project for Improving the Impact of ECtHR Judgments in Russia and Eastern Partnership Countries

EIN has the pleasure to announce the launch of a new project addressing the non-implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, in Russia and Eastern Partnership countries.

Through its judgments, the European Court of Human Rights identifies serious gaps in the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. This process should lead to the identification of structural problems and to their resolution through reforms. However, this system now faces a serious challenge, arising from the failure by states to take the action required to resolve problems highlighted by the judgments. This issue is particularly serious in countries East of the EU, as demonstrated by the proportion of leading judgments from the last ten years that are still pending implementation: Russia (88%); Ukraine (63%); Moldova (46%); Armenia (62%); Azerbaijan (96%); Georgia (54%).

EIN will start a new project in July, focusing on improving implementation in these states. We will work with local partners to improve advocacy at the national level for judgment implementation, by sharing best practices, collaborating to identify how best to advance implementation in particular environments, and forming strategies for ongoing work.

EIN is grateful to the Swedish government for its generous financial support of this project.

EIN webinar on the implementation of ECHR judgments in North Macedonia

Yesterday (4th June 2020) EIN held a successful online training session for 40 lawyers from North Macedonia, in conjunction with the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association (MYLA).

The session was opened with an introduction from the President of the Bar Association of North Macedonia. This was followed by a presentation by the President of MYLA Zoran Drangovski, who set out the key facts and figures of the current situation regarding compliance with the ECtHR’s judgments in North Macedonia.

During the session, EIN explained the process of implementation and possible ways of involvement for lawyers and NGOs, described the procedures and possible courses of action on the examples of Macedonian cases currently facing their implementation. The presentation lasted for 1.5h and was followed by a discussion of questions asked by the audience. MYLA expressed their intentions of close cooperation with EIN in the future, which the EIN secretariat is keen to pursue.

Co-Director Anne-Katrin Speck leaves EIN

After having working as Co-Director of EIN over the last 1.5 years, Anne-Katrin has left the EIN team to work as a full-time doctoral researcher at the University of Ghent.

During her time at EIN, Anne played a crucial role in enriching the organisation’s capacity-building methodology and organised multiple trainings. As a result of her work, over 130 NGO representatives and lawyers were trained on the ECHR judgment implementation process over the last 15 months. She initiated new forms of trainings, coupled with public events, which enhanced debate about the challenges linked to the non-implementation in particular countries. Thanks to her in-depth knowledge of the process, Anne also helped improve and intensify the participation of NGOs in the implementation of key ECHR cases. Her commitment allowed EIN to flourish and extend to a vibrant network of more than 30 members from over 20 countries. Finally, Anne produced important resources which will assist those working on implementation for many years. These include a guide on the implementation of standard cases, and the recently published EIN Toolkit on using domestic advocacy to advance the implementation of ECHR judgments. 

The entire EIN Network would like to thank Anne for her incredibly valuable contribution to EIN’s mission and work, as well as her team spirit. We wish her all the best for her academic career.

Following her departure from the Secretariat, Anne applied to be an individual member of EIN. This application was accepted by the EIN Board, meaning that the network will benefit from Anne’s input in the coming years.

Following Anne’s departure, EIN Co-Director George Stafford will take on the role of EIN Director.

New project to support free speech and the victims of political persecution

A woman is silenced © Flickr/Jennifer Moo

EIN is delighted to announce its role in a new project aiming to ensure robust compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

EIN will work as a junior partner in the project, which is led by one of our member organisations, the Netherlands Helsinki Committee. The NHC’s Human Rights Defence Programme works to safeguard human rights by developing the capacity of civil society to communicate effectively; by building their resilience to actively engage in advocacy on human rights; and by supporting human rights defenders.

Starting in July 2020, the new project will focus specifically on compliance with ECtHR judgements in relation to freedom of speech and freedom from political prosecution in Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Human rights defenders and NGOs, journalists and other media outlets play an important part in ensuring fundamental freedoms are upheld and that the general public is informed about government decisions. Protecting their freedom of expression and freedom from political persecution is the cornerstone of democracy. In calling on states to uphold their obligations to implement Court rulings – whether by overturning or commuting convictions or sentences; providing reparations to victims of human rights violations; or changing laws to ensure such violations don’t recur – the project will ultimately contribute to the provision of genuine protection of the freedom of expression and the freedom from political persecution for the whole of society.

We are grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands for its financial support of this project.