ECHR system

The Commissioner contributes to the effectiveness of the European Convention on Human Rights system. On his own initiative, the Commissioner may act as amicus curiae before the European Court of Human Rights and may also submit information to the Committee of Ministers to assist in monitoring the execution of judgments.

Commissioner O’Flaherty intervenes in three cases concerning summary returns of asylum seekers from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland to Belarus

Commissioner O’Flaherty has published today his written comments to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of C.O.C.G. and Others v. LithuaniaH.M.M. and Others v. Latvia, and R.A. and Others v. Poland.* The cases relate to the alleged summary returns of asylum seekers by each of the three states across their borders with Belarus. The Court’s judgments in these cases may provide further clarification about the Convention obligations of Council of Europe member states when faced with irregular arrivals across their borders, including in the context of the so-called instrumentalisation of migration by other states, such as Belarus.  full article