Future of the European Court of Human Rights

Ministers from the 47 states to meet in Interlaken (Switzerland)

The future of the European Court of Human Rights will take centre-stage when human rights ministers from the 47 member states of the Council of Europe gather on 18 and 19 February at the Casino Kursaal in Interlaken.

The aim of the conference, which is being organised by the Swiss Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, is to reaffirm member states’ commitment to protecting human rights in Europe, and their determination to enable the European Court of Human Rights, which is a vital cog in the protection mechanism, to cope with the growing volume of applications.

The ministers will discuss reforms to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the Court, as well as ways of better monitoring the execution of its judgments and improving human rights protection at national level.

The Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers and the Head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police will open the conference at 3 pm on Thursday 18 February, followed by speeches from the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly and the European Court of Human Rights, the Vice-President of the European Commission and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. The heads of the national delegations and representatives of civil society will then take the floor.

The adoption of the Interlaken Declaration and an action plan for reform is due to take place on Friday 19 February.