Friday 20 April 2012
The UK currently holds the Presidency of the Council of Europe, which rotates between the 47 member nations. At the conference the UK is seeking to further reform the European Court of Human Rights which is currently coping with a backlog of 150,000 cases as well as looking at how the Convention is applied in national courts.
Guernsey had the European Convention of Human Rights extended to it in 1953 , and is given effect in local courts through the Human Rights (Bailiwick of Guernsey), Law 2000.
A Policy Council spokespersons said,
"the inclusion of Guernsey at international conferences that will impact on the island is a very positive sign. The island has an interest in the reform of the European Court of Human Rights and in ensuring that the Convention system remains effective and can continue to protect the rights and freedoms of residents. The Court is available to residents with admissible claims who have exhausted domestic remedies in relation to legal challenges to enforce their Human Rights."
The primary aim of the Council of Europe is to create a common democratic and legal area throughout the whole of the continent, ensuring respect for its fundamental values: human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Contact Information
Jo Reeve, Principal External Affairs Officer
Tel: 01481 717 020
e-mail: erg@gov.gg
