The European convention on human rights in the XXI century: in search of balance

Abstract

The original system established by the European Convention on Human Rights is based on a delicate balance. Initially, this balance was achieved through the establishment of a mechanism sparing national susceptibilities in the face of the ambitious objectives displayed by the European project. The success of the system has led to the reform brought about by Protocol No. 11, strengthening its jurisdictional character. However, having coincided with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the enlargement of the Council of Europe, the system had to face new challenges: the number of potential applicants exceeded 800 million and the accession of new States with political and legal systems in transition and judicial systems under construction have caused litigation before the Court to explode. The process launched in Interlaken ten years ago has consolidated the capacities of the system, especially as the Court has been able to take advantage of it, on the one hand by putting in place innovative and effective measures and p rocedures and, on the other hand, by engaging in dialogue with national courts. Following the Interlaken process and the entry into force of Protocols No. 14, 15 and 16, the question arises as to whether the tools that these instruments have created, so essential for the effectiveness of the system today, will be sufficient to avoid tensions in the future. The groundwork for the future of the system will have to look at the synergies between the Court, the Committee of Ministers and the States Parties, aimed at giving the Convention system all the dimensions of engagement it needs: the jurisdictional dimension, above all, but also that of dialogue, consultation, cooperation and prevention. This will require a coordinated mobilization of all Council of Europe institutions.