European Court of Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) is an international court based in Strasbourg, France, established under the European Convention on Human Rights. It operates within the framework of the Council of Europe, a body separate from the European Union, and its jurisdiction covers the convention's member states. The court hears applications from individuals, groups, and states alleging breaches of the rights guaranteed by the convention, such as the right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, and prohibition of torture. Its judgments are binding on the states concerned, which are expected to implement them, with execution supervised by the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers. The court interprets and applies the convention; it does not have direct enforcement powers within national legal systems.