The comments come as ministers of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe gather in the English seaside resort of Brighton for a summit set to look at reforming human rights law, as the controversy of radical cleric Abu Qatada’s blocked deportation still hangs in the air.
In a press release Amnesty stated that ministers should do all they can to preserve the independence of the Court. Michael Bochenek, Director of Law and Policy at Amnesty International, said: ‘The European Court of Human Rights is fundamental to the protection of human rights in Europe. It is one of the world’s most developed human rights protection mechanisms; and it remains the last resort for many people who seek justice for violations of their human rights.
Backlog
A major concern for European leaders is the cost involved in getting through the huge backlog of cases waiting to be seen by the Court. According to the Independent, Thorbjorn Jagland - Secretary General of the Council of Europe - said: ‘We must be honest and realistic about the possible budgetary aspects of certain proposals that have been discussed during the preparation of this very important conference. Now time has come to set up a special fund, in particular for the backlog of the court, to which member states could contribute on a voluntary basis.’ His comments were backed by Jean-Claude Mignon, President of the Council's Parliamentary Assembly, who also called for states to pay more to help fund the court's costs.
Brighton rock
Earlier today, the Telegraph reported on the opening session of the Brighton conference with UK Justice Secretary Ken Clarke in a particularly bullish mood over the positives reform could bring. He said: ‘If we get this right, the prize is a great one. Not just a substantial package of measures, with common sense running through it like the letters through a stick of Brighton rock, but real progress in tackling the court's backlog, while preserving the right of individual petition.’
However, Sir Nicolas Bratza, the British judge who is President of the ECHR, did not see things so favourably. He said that the margin of appreciation (the leeway governments have in interpreting Strasbourg rulings) is a ‘variable notion which is not susceptible of precise definition.’ He added: ‘We have difficulty in seeing the need for or the wisdom of attempting to legislate for it in the Convention.’
In a press release Amnesty stated that ministers should do all they can to preserve the independence of the Court. Michael Bochenek, Director of Law and Policy at Amnesty International, said: ‘The European Court of Human Rights is fundamental to the protection of human rights in Europe. It is one of the world’s most developed human rights protection mechanisms; and it remains the last resort for many people who seek justice for violations of their human rights.
Backlog
A major concern for European leaders is the cost involved in getting through the huge backlog of cases waiting to be seen by the Court. According to the Independent, Thorbjorn Jagland - Secretary General of the Council of Europe - said: ‘We must be honest and realistic about the possible budgetary aspects of certain proposals that have been discussed during the preparation of this very important conference. Now time has come to set up a special fund, in particular for the backlog of the court, to which member states could contribute on a voluntary basis.’ His comments were backed by Jean-Claude Mignon, President of the Council's Parliamentary Assembly, who also called for states to pay more to help fund the court's costs.
Brighton rock
Earlier today, the Telegraph reported on the opening session of the Brighton conference with UK Justice Secretary Ken Clarke in a particularly bullish mood over the positives reform could bring. He said: ‘If we get this right, the prize is a great one. Not just a substantial package of measures, with common sense running through it like the letters through a stick of Brighton rock, but real progress in tackling the court's backlog, while preserving the right of individual petition.’
However, Sir Nicolas Bratza, the British judge who is President of the ECHR, did not see things so favourably. He said that the margin of appreciation (the leeway governments have in interpreting Strasbourg rulings) is a ‘variable notion which is not susceptible of precise definition.’ He added: ‘We have difficulty in seeing the need for or the wisdom of attempting to legislate for it in the Convention.’
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