Celebrating the Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights

Celebrating the Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights

Published September 03, 2025

On this day in 1953, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) entered into force, marking a historic milestone in the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms across Europe. Adopted in the aftermath of the Second World War under the auspices of the Council of Europe, the Convention remains one of the most important international human rights instruments, shaping law, governance, and public administration in the 47 member states of the Council of Europe.

The ECHR enshrines rights and freedoms that are considered essential to human dignity, including the right to life, the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, the right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, and respect for private and family life. What makes the Convention unique is not only the broad scope of rights it protects, but also its enforceability. Individuals can bring complaints directly before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, ensuring accountability of states and offering redress to victims of violations.

Over the past seven decades, the Convention and the Court’s jurisprudence have transformed the legal landscape of Europe. They have set binding standards on issues as diverse as freedom of the press, minority rights, environmental protection, privacy in the digital age, and access to justice. The Court’s interpretation of the Convention as a “living instrument” has ensured its continued relevance in addressing contemporary human rights challenges.

For Malta, which ratified the Convention in 1967, the ECHR forms part of the country’s legal and constitutional framework and has been central in advancing the protection of human rights. The Office of the Ombudsman has consistently emphasised that good governance and respect for human rights are inseparable. The Convention provides an essential yardstick against which the fairness, transparency, and accountability of public administration can be measured.

As the European Convention on Human Rights marks another anniversary, it stands as a reminder that safeguarding human dignity, freedom, and equality requires vigilance and commitment. Institutions such as Ombudsman offices play a vital role in ensuring that the principles of the Convention are not only words on paper, but rights lived and enjoyed by all.