A Glass Half Empty? Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

This article critically examines weak execution of judgements of the European Court of Human Rights from the perspective of on-going innate struggle between ideas of liberalism and illiberalism in transitional societies of Central and Eastern European countries. This article thereafter identifies and analyses the reasons for poor execution of judgements in most Central and Eastern European states from the perspective of (il)liberalism, trying to draw out lessons concerning the understanding of current failures of those states to comply with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Equipped with this knowledge, this article goes on to argue that some common reasons for non-execution of judgement can be identified across Central and Eastern European states. It argues that those reasons can be inter alia located in legal formalisms, authoritarian judicial cultures and lack of self-criticisms of judicial structures. To this end, this article suggests how Central and Eastern European states could overcome the hurdles posed by remains of socialist legal culture in a manner that will live up to their obligations concerning execution of judgements of the European Court of Human Rights.