High level Conference on the Future of the European Court of Human Rights
Izmir, 26-27 April 2011

Programme: The Izmir Conference pursues three main goals in the context of ensuring the effectiveness of the supervisory machinery set up by the European Convention on Human Rights and maintaining momentum in the efforts to achieve this. The first is to make a preliminary assessment of the impact of Protocol No. 14. The second is to take stock of what has been achieved by the reform process launched by the Interlaken conference in February 2010 and the third is to reflect upon further ideas for pursuing that reform.

Final declaration
Final programme
Interlaken Ministerial Conference: Despite the considerable efforts of the European Court of Human Rights to streamline internal procedures, its formidable caseload still threatens to paralyse the entire court system. In order to facilitate the reform of the Court, Switzerland hosted a ministerial conference of the 47 Council of Europe member states in Interlaken on 18 - 19 February 2010.


 More information on the Interlaken conference
Final declaration
Participation: The High Level Conference on the future of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) was held at Swissôtel Grand Efes in Izmir/ Turkey on 26 and 27 April 2011.
Final list of participants
 
Speeches:
Opening address by Mr Ahmet DAVUTOĞLU, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey
Address by Mr Ahmet KAHRAMAN, Minister of Justice of Turkey (English version)
Address by Mr Ahmet KAHRAMAN, Minister of Justice of Turkey (Turkish version)
Address by Mr Thorbjørn JAGLAND, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Address by Mr Mevlüt ÇAVUŞOĞLU, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Address by Mr Jean-Paul COSTA, President of the European Court of Human Rights
Address by Mr Thomas HAMMARBERG, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

Speeches by delegations
Address by Mr Jean-Marie HEYDT, President of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe
Address by Ms Beate RUDOLF, Representative of the European Group of National Human Rights Institutions
Concluding remarks by the Turkish Chairmanship

 Joint NGO Statement
Social Programme: On 25 and 26 April, participants and their spouses are welcome to join a free programme of activities. Please see the attached Social Tour document. Reservations should be made by 22 April 2011 at the latest.
Social Tours