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European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
Practical Law UK Glossary 1-107-6550 (Approx. 6 pages)
Glossary
European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
An international convention signed by 47 member states and overseen by the Council of Europe. It guarantees a number of basic human rights (sometimes known as Convention Rights). They include the:
- Right to life (Article 2).
- Prohibition of torture (Article 3).
- Prohibition of slavery and forced labour (Article 4).
- Right to liberty and security (Article 5).
- Right to a fair trial (Article 6).
- Right not to be punished except in accordance with the law (Article 7).
- Respect for private and family life (Article 8).
- Freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 9).
- Freedom of expression (Article 10).
- Freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association (including the right to join a trade union) (Article 11).
- Right to marry and start a family (Article 12).
- Right not to suffer discrimination in respect of Convention Rights (Article 14).
- Right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions (Article 1 of the First Protocol).
- Right to participate in free elections (Article 3 of the First Protocol).
For information on the protection of Convention Rights in the United Kingdom, see Practice note, Human Rights Act 1998: overview.