George Stafford to leave EIN

The following is a message from EIN’s Chair Professor Başak Çalı and EIN’s Vice Chair Professor Philip Leach:

EIN’s Director George Stafford will be leaving the organisation in May 2023.

George has been an important part of EIN’s growth from a small network when he started in October 2018, to a group of 39 members across 25 different European countries today.

During his time at EIN, the issue of the implementation of ECtHR judgments has risen quickly up the agenda for civil society and institutions. The level of NGO engagement in the implementation monitoring process has tripled, following an information-spreading programme which he started in January 2019. Civil society participation has also been strengthened by the EIN capacity building events that he has overseen, which have involved the training of over 450 people from across Europe.

Following EIN’s sustained advocacy highlighting the size of the ECtHR implementation challenge, in May 2021 the Council of Europe identified its top strategic priority as the implementation of the ECHR and ECtHR judgments at the national level. The EU is also now holding states to account for their ECtHR implementation record, following a successful advocacy project George launched to include the levels of Strasbourg Court judgment execution in the EU Commission’s annual rule of law reports.

Turning to work at the national level, George has championed the reform of government implementation mechanisms as fundamental to improving overall levels of ECtHR implementation. This was a central issue of discussion in EIN largest ever conference, held in Strasbourg in June 2023, and has influenced subsequent Council of Europe projects on this issue.

Advocacy for the implementation of particular cases together with NGOs and lawyers is a central part of EIN’s work. During George’s tenure, the organisation was closely involved in the acquittal of Ilgar Mammadov and six other Azerbaijani opposition figures; achieving protections for a victim of domestic violence in Ukraine; and wider reforms on the full range of ECHR rights, including measures to combat hate crimes and protect free speech.

In a message to EIN members, George wrote:

“Over the last four and a half years, I have tried my hardest to promote the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. I have been extremely fortunate to work on an issue that I care deeply about, with a large community that cares deeply about it too. My motivation has always been sustained simply by spending time with all of you. There is nothing more inspiring than working with hardworking, passionate human rights defenders from across Europe, who are dedicating their energy to protecting the values that matter most.”

We wish George the very best of luck in his future endeavours.

EIN will seek to appoint a new Director as soon as possible. For information on the recruitment process and how to apply, click here.