UK Government Seeks to Reform ECHR

The UK government is demonstrating its commitment to using its six-month presidency of the Council of Europe to reform the European Court of Human Rights. A draft position paper has been circulated calling for the European Convention on Human Rights to be substantially rewritten in order to curb the number of cases that go to Strasbourg and to allow greater latitude to national courts.

The government seeks to remove Strasbourg’s ability to examine cases “identical in substance to a claim that has been considered by a national court,” except where there has been a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the ECHR or the case raises a serious question about the interpretation or application. Other proposals include the incorporation of the principles of subsidiarity and margin of appreciation, and the lessening of times to apply. The proposed reforms need the unanimous approval of 46 other countries if they are to come into force.

Read the full BBC article here.