European Convention on Human Rights

States that are parties to the Convention (blue)

The European Convention on Human Rights is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe. It has been signed by all states that are members of the Council of Europe (a much wider group than the European Union).

The Convention was drafted by a committee chaired by Sir David Maxwell Fyfe and came into force in 1953. It establishes the European Court of Human Rights. Any person who feels his or her rights have been violated under the Convention by one of the states that have signed the Convention can take a case to the Court.