Seminar: Structural Reform Processes to Improve ECHR Standards in Russia

In 2020, the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC), in cooperation with the European Implementation Network, launched a project focused on promoting compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights, in particular with regard to violations concerning the repression of government opponents and freedom of expression, in Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. This initiative highlights the lack of full and meaningful implementation of European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgments.

ECtHR judgments are binding on the countries involved. However, statistics indicate that implementation of these judgments is woefully insufficient. These judgments require governments to amend or introduce new legislation, policies, and practices and to address underlying human rights issues. When governments do not act on the Court’s judgment, human rights issues continue to reoccurr. Having this in mind, the initiative aims to advance policies and practices in the target countries for systemic improvements required by ECtHR judgments and the implementation process.

This seminar focused on how to stimulate reform steps to improve compliance with ECtHR standards in Russia. The seminar provided a medium for in-depth discussions on existing and new approaches to engage with the implementation process in order to promote changes in legislation, policies and practices of Russian authorities and courts. 

The seminar began with an introduction and warm welcome by Antanina Maslyka, Netherlands Helsinki Committee, Programme Officer. The first presentation was on Russia’s overall implementation record of ECtHR judgments by George Stafford, EIN Director. Next, Maria Voskobitova, PhD, ABA ROLI, Europe and Eurasia Division, Program Director, presented systemic challenges in implementing ECtHR judgments in Russia. This presentation was followed by Maria Filatova, PhD, Higher School of Economics University, Faculty of Law, School of International Law, Associate Professor, who presented on how the practice and approaches of the ECtHR have changed the Russian court system and how the implementation of ECtHR judgments should be applied at the national level.

Irina Khrunova from the AGORA International Human Rights Group then discussed the implementation status of ECtHR cases related to access to information, her experience on implementing ECtHR judgments on Article 8 and lessons learnt and relevance for work on Article 10 implementation.

The second half of the seminar covered the challenges and opportunities encountered in implementing ECtHR judgments on Article 3 by Asmik Novikova, Public Verdict Foundation, Head of Research Programmes. Then, Denis Shedov, OVD-Info, Lawyer and Analyst, presented new approaches towards implementing ECtHR judgments, with a focus on national coalition-building (Lashmankin v. Russia, Article 11 ECHR). The final presentation focused on challenges and opportunities in implementing ECtHR judgments on Article 18 ECHR: relevant experience for Russia made by Anna Maralyan, Centre de la Protection Internationale, Deputy Director for Program and development.

A big thank you goes out to everyone who presented. We would also like to thank everyone who joined this online event. We hope to continue to engage and advocate for the full and effective implementation of ECtHR judgments in Russia.

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