The overview
of the Court’s case-law showcase a summary of key judgments that have further elucidated or developed standards
under each Convention article. For example, it elaborates how Georgia v. Russia II has shaped the understanding of extraterritoriality under Article 1, how Kurt v Austria has strengthened the standards of protection with
regards to domestic violence under Article 2, and so on.
Facts and figures show the number of cases received, allocated and decided by the Court, as well as what rights have been predominantly violated in Europe and by whom.
Within a
year, the Court has issued 1105 judgments in relation to more than 3000
applications (some cases were joined), and has decided more than 36000 applications with a judgment, decision or by striking the case out of the list.
More than
20% of the judgments concerned the right to a fair trial, 19% in relation to
the prohibition of torture, 18% in relation to the right to liberty and
security and 9% concerning the right to respect for private life.
Similar to last year, a quarter of all applications before the Court were lodged against
Russia, 21% against Turkey, 16% against Ukraine, 8% against Romania, and 5%
against Italy. It is worrying that, just like in the previous years (see here and here) more than 75 % of applications were brought against 5 states only. These facts and
figures suggest that the number of cases before the Court cannot be reduced only by reforming the 'machinery'. A more meaningful and holistic analysis is needed to look at the causes and
types of violations, and how to ensure that all States, and in particular the 'usual suspects' that top the number of applications, take seriously the
obligation to respect human rights, as enshrined in Article 1 of the Convention.
