This study updates a thematic study originally published in March 2022, which considered the challenges associated with the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights involving freedom of association. The Expert Council on NGO Law – a body of the Conference of International NGOs - decided to prepare this update given the continuing challenges associated with the full execution of such judgments. 

In many of the 60+ cases examined in this update, full execution remains pending and the execution process is prolonged. The failure to execute, and the delayed execution of, judgments of the Court involving freedom of association constitute a continuation and exacerbation of the violations of freedom of association that applicants have already experienced and contravene the standards related to the treatment of NGOs applicable to Council of Europe Member States. 

The study concludes with a list of possible steps that could be taken for more effective execution, for consideration by different bodies of the Council of Europe (the Court, member states, Committee of Ministers, Secretary General, the Parliamentary Assembly, Local Offices) as well as National Human Rights Institutions and civil society.

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