The year 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, a unique international treaty which was signed on 4 November 1950 in Rome, entered into force in 1953 and has been ratified by the 47 member States of the Council of Europe.

The European Convention on Human Rights guarantees the fundamental civil and political rights not only of the citizens of the 47 member States, but also of all persons within their jurisdiction. The European Court of Human Rights – an institution of the Council of Europe – has jurisdiction to rule on individual or state applications alleging violations of the rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe promotes the territorial dimension of human rights through its statutory work – in particular when monitoring the European Charter of Local Self-Government – as well as through its co-operation and thematic activities.

The Congress is convinced that local and regional authorities, whose political authorities are accountable to their citizens, play an essential role in the protection of fundamental rights. Indeed, in their functions as mayors, councillors or governors, local and regional elected representatives are responsible for local public services which are inseparable from the implementation of human rights, whether in the fields of housing, healthcare, education, social assistance, security and public order or town planning.

 Local and Regional Authorities in the Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights has dealt with various applications concerning local and regional authorities, which refer to the following articles of the European Convention on Human Rights:

• Right to life (Article 2)
• Prohibition of torture (Article 3)
• Prohibition of slavery and forced labour (Article 4)
• Right to liberty and security (Article 5)
• Right to a fair trial (Article 6)
• Right to respect for private and family life (Article 8)
• Freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 9)
• Freedom of expression (Article 10)
• Freedom of assembly and association (Article 11)
• Right to an effective remedy (Article 13)
• Protection of property (Article 1 Protocole n°1)
• Right to free elections (Article 3 Protocole n°1)
• Freedom of movement (Article 2 Protocole n°4)
• General prohibition of discrimination (Article 1 Protocole n°12)