English For Lawyers

Article 25.

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26.

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27.

(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28.

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29.

(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.

(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30.

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

Activity 2.

Study the following words and phrases. Find them in the text of the Declaration.



whereas	оскільки
recognition of dignity	визнання гідності
Inherent	притаманний
equal and inalienable rights	рівні та невідчужувані права
disregard and contempt for human rights	нехтування та зневажання правами людини
freedom of speech and belief	свобода слова і переконань
freedom from fear and want	свобода від страху та злиднів
compelled to have recourse as a last resort	вимушений вдаватися Iі як останній засіб
rule of law	верховенство права
to promote the development of friendly relations between nations	сприяти розвитку дружніх стосунків між народами
reaffirm their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity	знову підтверджувати віру в основні права людини, гідність
to pledge oneself	зобов'язатися
universal respect for and observance of human rights	загальна повага до прав людини та їх дотримання
endowed with reason	наділений розумом
to be held in slavery or servitude	утримувати в рабстві чи підневільному стані
to prohibit	забороняти
to be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.	піддавати катуванню або нелюдському чи такому, що принижує людську гідність, покаранню
equal before the law	рівні перед законом
incitement to such discrimination	підбурювання до дискримінації
right to an effective remedy	право на ефективний правовий захист
competent national tribunal	компетентний національний судовий орган
to be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile	бути підданим свавільному арешту
fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal	справедливий та відкритий судовий розгляд незалежним та безстороннім судовим органом
freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state	свобода пересування та свобода вибору місця проживання
equal access to public service	рівний доступ до державної служби
right to rest and leisure	право на відпочинок
universal and equal suffrage	загальне та рівне виборче право
right to social security	право на соціальне забезпечення
just and favourable conditions of work	справедливі та сприятливі умови праці
standard of living	рівень життя
to be arbitrarily deprived of his property	бути свавільно позбавленим майна
security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age	забезпечення в разі безробіття, хвороби, непрацездатності, удівства, старості
in circumstances beyond his control.	за обставин, що знаходяться поза межами контролю особи
equal pay for equal work	однакова заробітна платня за однакову роботу
to have a prior right	мати пріоритетне право
in the exercise of his rights and freedoms	при здійсненні своїх прав та свобод
solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for rights	виключно з метою забезпечення належного визнання та поваги до прав
contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations	всупереч цілям та принципам Організації Об'єднаних Націй
destruction	руйнування
in circumstances beyond his control.	за обставин, що знаходяться поза межами контролю особи
equal pay for equal work	однакова заробітна платня за однакову роботу
to have a prior right	мати пріоритетне право
in the exercise of his rights and freedoms	при здійсненні своїх прав та свобод
solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for rights	виключно з метою забезпечення належного визнання та поваги до прав
contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations	всупереч цілям та принципам Організації Об'єднаних Націй
destruction	руйнування

Activity 3.

Answer the following questions. Use the prompts in brackets for the formulation of your answers.

1. When was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted? (10 December 1948).

2. What was the aim of the Universal Declaration?(to promote respect for human rights and freedoms, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance).

3. How many states voted in favour of the Declaration? (forty-eight, no against, with eight abstentions).

4. What did the President of the General Assembly point out in the statement following the voting? (a remarkable achievement, a step forward in the great evolutionary process, the first occasion on which the organized community of nations had made a declaration of human rights).

5. How many articles does the Declaration consist of? (the Preamble mid 30 articles).

6. Which article lays down the philosophy upon which the Declaration in based? (Article 1. According to Article 1 ).

7. Which article sets out the basic principle of equality and nondiscrimination as regards the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms? (Article 2. According to Article 2....)

8. Which Article proclaims the right to life, liberty and security of person? (Article 3).

9. Which articles set forth economic, social and cultural rights?

10. Which articles set out civil and political rights?

Activity 4.

In the text of the Declaration, find English equivalents of the following expressions.

1) Зневажання і нехтування правами людини;

2) притаманний;

3) визнання гідності;

4) рівні та невідчужувані права;

5) мати свободу слова і переконань;

6) сприяти розвитку дружніх стосунків між народами;

7) знову підтвердити свою віру і основні права людини;

8) рівні права чоловіків і жінок;

9) бути підданим катуванню;

10) утримуватися в рабстві чи підневільному стані;

11) поводження, що принижує людську гідність;

12) бути рівними перед законом;

13) мати право на справедливий судовий розгляд;

14) права, надані Конституцією або законом;

15) мати право на рівний захист законом;

16) призначати покарання;

17) свавільне втручання в приватне і сімейне життя;

18) дія, що суперечить цілям і принципам Організації Об'єднаних Націй;

19) у межах кордонів кожної держави;

20) право рівного доступу до державної служби;

21) право на свободу мирних зібрань;

22) незалежно від кордонів;

23) свобода змінювати своє віросповідання або переконання.

Activity 5.

Summarize the text of the Declaration using answers to the questions in Activity 3 as the outline plan of your summary.

UNIT TWENTY FIVE. CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS A Nil FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS

Rome, 4.XI. 1950

Activity 1.

Read the Convention first trying to understand it without consulting thй dictionary and the vocabulary given after the text of the Convention.

The Preamble

The governments signatory hereto, being members of the Council of Europe,

Considering the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10th December 1948;

Considering that this Declaration aims at securing the universal and effective recognition and observance of the Rights therein declared;

Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is the achievement of greater unity between its members and that one of the methods by which that aim is to be pursued is the maintenance and further realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Reaffirming their profound belief in those fundamental freedoms which are the foundation of justice and peace in the world and are best maintained on the one hand by an effective political democracy and on the other by a common understanding and observance of the human rights upon which they depend;

Being resolved, as the governments of European countries which are like-minded and have a common heritage of political traditions, ideals, freedom and the rule of law, to take the first steps for the collective enforcement of certain of the rights stated in the Universal Declaration,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1 - Obligation to respect human rights

The High Contracting Parties shall secure to everyone within their jurisdiction the rights and freedoms defined in Section I of this Convention.

Section I - Rights and freedoms1

Article 2 - Right to life

Everyone's right to life shall be protected by law. No one shall be deprived of his life intentionally save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction of a crime for which this penalty is provided by law.

Deprivation of life shall not be regarded as inflicted in contravention of this article when it results from the use of force which is no more than absolutely necessary:

in defence of any person from unlawful violence;

in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained;

in action lawfully taken for the purpose of quelling a riot or insurrection.

Article 3 - Prohibition of torture

No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 4 - Prohibition of slavery and forced labour

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude.

No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.

For the purpose of this article the term "forced or compulsory labour" shall not include:

any work required to be done in the ordinary course of detention imposed according to the provisions of Article 5 of this Convention or during conditional release from such detention;

any service of a military character or, in case of conscientious objectors in countries where they are recognised, service exacted instead of compulsory military service;

any service exacted in case of an emergency or calamity threatening the life or well-being of the community;

any work or service which forms part of normal civic obligations.

Article 5 - Right to liberty and security

Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be deprived of his liberty save in the following cases and in accordance with a procedure prescribed by law:

the lawful detention of a person after conviction by a competent court;

the lawful arrest or detention of a person for non-compliance with the lawful order of a court or in order to secure the fulfilment of any obligation prescribed by law;

the lawful arrest or detention of a person effected for the purpose of bringing him before the competent legal authority on reasonable suspicion of having committed an offence or when it is reasonably considered necessary to prevent his committing an offence or fleeing after having done so;

the detention of a minor by lawful order for the purpose of educational supervision or his lawful detention for the purpose of bringing him before the competent legal authority;

the lawful detention of persons for the prevention of the spreading of infectious diseases, of persons of unsound mind, alcoholics or drug addicts or vagrants;

the lawful arrest or detention of a person to prevent his effecting an uNULESthorised entry into the country or of a person against whom action is being taken with a view to deportation or extradition.

Everyone who is arrested shall be informed promptly, in a language which he understands, of the reasons for his arrest and of any charge against him.

Everyone arrested or detained in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1.c of this article shall be brought promptly before a judge or other officer authorised by law to exercise judicial power and shall be entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release pending trial. Release may be conditioned by guarantees to appear for trial.

Everyone who is deprived of his liberty by arrest or detention shall be entitled to take proceedings by which the lawfulness of his detention shall be decided speedily by a court and his release ordered if the detention is not lawful.

Everyone who has been the victim of arrest or detention in contravention of the provisions of this article shall have an enforceable right to compensation.

Article 6 - Right to a fair trial

In the determination of his civil rights and obligations or of any criminal charge against him, everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law. Judgment shall be pronounced publicly but the press and public may be excluded from all or part of the trial in the interests of morals, public order or national security in a democratic society, where the interests of juveniles or the protection of the private life of the parties so require, or to the extent strictly necessary in the opinion of the court in special circumstances where publicity would prejudice the interests of justice.

Everyone charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.

Everyone charged with a criminal offence has the following minimum rights:

to be informed promptly, in a language which he understands and in detail, of the nature and cause of the accusation against him;

to have adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence;

to defend himself in person or through legal assistance of his own choosing or, if he has not sufficient means to pay for legal assistance, to be given it free when the interests of justice so require;

to examine or have examined witnesses against him and to obtain the attendance and examination of witnesses on his behalf under the same conditions as witnesses against him;

to have the free assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand or speak the language used in court.

Article 7 - No punishment without law

No one shall be held guilty of any criminal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a criminal offence under national or international law at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the criminal offence was committed.

This article shall not prejudice the trial and punishment of any person for any act or omission which, at the time when it was committed, was criminal according to the general principles of law recognised by civilised nations.

Article 8 - Right to respect for private and family life

Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.

There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

Article 9 - Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.

Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

Article 10 - Freedom of expression

Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.

The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.

Article 11 - Freedom of assembly and association

Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

No restrictions shall be placed on the exercise of these rights other than such as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on the exercise of these rights by members of the armed forces, of the police or of the administration of the State.

Article 12 - Right to marry

Men and women of marriageable age have the right to marry and to found a family, according to the national laws governing the exercise of this right.

Article 13 - Right to an effective remedy

Everyone whose rights and freedoms as set forth in this Convention are violated shall have an effective remedy before a national authority notwithstanding that the violation has been committed by persons acting in an official capacity.

Article 14 - Prohibition of discrimination

The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Convention shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.

Article 15 - Derogation in time of emergency

In time of war or other public emergency threatening the life of the nation any High Contracting Party may take measures derogating from its obligations under this Convention to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation, provided that such measures are not inconsistent with its other obligations under international law.

No derogation from Article 2, except in respect of deaths resulting from lawful acts of war, or from Articles 3, 4 (paragraph 1) and 7 shall be made under this provision.

Any High Contracting Party availing itself of this right of derogation shall keep the Secretary General of the Council of Europe fully informed of the measures which it has taken and the reasons therefor. It shall also inform the Secretary General of the Council of Europe when such measures have ceased to operate and the provisions of the Convention are again being fully executed.

Article 16 - Restrictions on political activity of aliens

Nothing in Articles 10, 11 and 14 shall be regarded as preventing the High Contracting Parties from imposing restrictions on the political activity of aliens.

Article 17 - Prohibition of abuse of rights

Nothing in this Convention may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein or at their limitation to a greater extent than is provided for in the Convention.

Article 18 - Limitation on use of restrictions on rights

The restrictions permitted under this Convention to the said rights and freedoms shall not be applied for any purpose other than those for which they have been prescribed.

Activity 2.

Memorise the following phrases. Translate the text paying attention to the words and phrases given in this activity.

to secure the rights and freedoms defined in Section I	гарантувати права та свободи, визначені в розділі 1
to everyone within their jurisdiction	кожному, хто перебуває під їхньою юрисдикцією
to be deprived of his life intentionally	бути умисно позбавленим життя
save in the execution of a sentence of a court	інакше ніж на виконання вироку суду
conviction of a crime	визнання винним у вчиненні злочину
deprivation of life	позбавлення життя
to regard as inflicted in contravention of this article	вважати вчиненим на порушення цієї статті
to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained	здійснювати законний арешт або запобігати втечі особи, яка законно тримається під вартою
to be subjected to torture	бути підданим катуванню
prohibition of slavery and forced labour	заборона рабства та примусової праці
to perform forced or compulsory labour	виконувати примусову чи обов'язкову працю
for the purpose of this article	для. цілей цієї статті
detention imposed according to the provisions of Article 5	тримання під вартою, призначене згідно з положеннями статті 5
during conditional release	під час умовного звільнення
in case of conscientious objectors	у випадку, коли особа відмовляється від військової служби 3 релігійних чи політичних мотивів
an emergency or calamity threatening the life or well-being of the community	надзвичайна ситуція або стихійне лихо, що загрожує життю чи благополуччю суспільства
normal civic obligations	звичайні громадянські обов'язки
to secure the rights and freedoms defined in Section I	гарантувати права та свободи, визначені в розділі 1
The right to liberty and security person	право на свободу пі особисту недоторканість
procedure prescribed by law	процедура, встановлена законом
competent legal authority	компетентний орган, встановлений законом
for the prevention of the spreading of infectious diseases	для запобігання поширенню інфекційних захворювань
judge or other officer authorised by law to exercise judicial power	суддя або інша службова особа, яку закон уповноважує здійснювати судову владу
reasonable suspicion of having committed an offence	розумна підозра
an enforceable right to compensation	захищене позовом право на відшкодування
to be entitled to a fair and public hearing	мати право на справедливий і відкритий розгляд
within a reasonable time	в межах розумного часу
an independent and impartial tribunal established by law	незалежний і безсторонній суд, встановлений законом
judgment	остаточне судове рішення (у цивільній справі) / вирок (у кримінальній справі)
in the interests of moralspublic order national security	в інтересах моралігромадський порядок національна безпека
to be informed promptly	бути негайно поінформованим
nature and cause of the accusation	характер і причина обвинувачення
to have adequate time and facilities	мати достатньо часу і можливостей
sufficient means to pay for legal assistance	достатні кошти для оплати правової допомоги захисника
when the interests of justice so require	якщо цього вимагають інтереси правосуддя
to examine witnesses	допитувати свідків
on his behalf	від його імені
under the same conditions as witnesses against him	на тих самих умовах свідків проти нього
free assistance of an interpreter	безоплатна допомога перекладача
no punishment without law	ніякого покарання без закону
act or omission	дія або бездіяльність
to constitute a criminal offence	становити кримінальне правопорушення
to impose a heavier penalty than the one	призначати покарання, суворішe від того, що
applicable at the time tlje criminal offence was committed	що застосовувалося на час вчинення кримінального правопорушення
to prejudice the trial and punishment	перешкоджати судовому розгляду ^
right to respect for private and family life	право на повагу до приватного і сімейного життя
interference by a public authority	втручання органів державної влади
interference with the exercise of this right	втручання у здійснення цього права
in the interests of national security	в інтересах національної безпеки
public safety	громадська безпека
economic well-being of the country	економічний добробут країни
for the prevention of disorder or crime	для запобігання заворушенням чи злочинам
lawful restrictions on the exercise of these rights	законні обмеження на здійсненим цих прав
to receive and impart information and ideas	одержувати і передавати інформацію та ідеї
territorial integrity	територіальна цілісність
to prevent the disclosure of information received in confidence	запобігати розголошенню конфіденційної інформації
freedom of thought, conscience and religion	свобода думки, совісті і віросповідання
the right to freedom of expression	право на свободу вираження поглядів
freedom of peaceful assembly	свобода мирних зібрань
to found a family	створювати сім'ю
right to an effective remedy	право на ефективний засіб правового захисту
to secure without discrimination	гарантувати без дискримінації
to derogate from obligations under the Convention	відступати від зобов'язань за Конвенцією
High Contracting Party	Висока договірна сторона
to threaten the life of the nation	загрожувати життю нації
to take measures	вживати заходів

Activity 3.

Answer the following questions consulting the table of ratifications (Apendix 2 on page 209)

1. When was the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights ratified by Ukraine?

2. When did Ukraine ratify Protocol N.6?

3. When did Armenia ratify the Convention?

4. What state was the first to ratify the Convention?

5. Has Protocol No 12 been ratified by Ukraine?

6. How many states ratified the Convention?

Activity 4.

Work with the table of ratifications in Appendix 2. Ask questions about different countries using the models in Activity 3.

Activity 5.

Now consult Appendix 4 and answer the questions:

1. When did Ukraine sign the Convention?

2. When did Ukraine ratify the Convention?

3. When did the Convention enter into force in respect of Ukraine?

4. Now choose another country and ask similar questions about the status of the Convention in this state.

Activity 6.

Translate the text about the Convention. Prepare it for presentation in class.

The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms was drawn up within the Council of Europe. It was opened for signature in Rome on 4 November 1950 and entered into force in September 1953. The object of its authors was to take the first steps for the collective enforcement of certain of the rights stated in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948.

Under the 1950 Convention Contracting States and individual applicants (individuals, groups of individuals or non-governmental organisations) could lodge complaints against Contracting States for alleged violations of Convention rights.

The complaints were first the subject of a preliminary examination by the Commission which determined their admissibility. It was taking too long to deal with individual cases. In some cases it took about five and even seven years for a case to be decided by the Commission and then subsequently by; the Court. Urgent steps had It be taken to remedy the situation. Moreover,, there was a steady growth in the number of High Contracting Parties. The combination of a desire to reduce the length of time that it took to examine cases and a radical increase in the number of High Contracting Parties, which resulted in the increase of the number of cases being brought to the Court, caused the decision to attack the root of the problem of delay.

Therefore, the 11th Protocol to the Convention was drafted which established a permanent court that would examine cases within a reasonable time.

UNIT TWENTY SIX. PROCEDURE BEFORE THE COURT

Activity 1.

Skim through the text without consulting the dictionary.

Any Contracting State (State application) or individual claiming to be a victim of a violation of the Convention (individual application) may lodge directly with the Court in Strasbourg an application alleging a breach by a Contracting State of one of the Convention rights.

The procedure before the new European Court of Human Rights is adversarial and public. Hearings are, in principle, public, unless the Chamber/Grand Chamber decides otherwise on account of exceptional circumstances. Memorials and other documents filed with the Court's Registry by the parties are accessible to the public. *

Individual applicants may submit applications themselves, but legal representation is recommended, and even required for hearings or after a decision declaring an application admissible. The Council of Europe has set up a legal aid scheme for applicants who do not have sufficient means.

The official languages of the Court are English and French, but applications may be drafted in one of the official languages of the Contracting States. Once the application has been declared admissible, one of the Court's official languages must be used, unless the President of the Chamber/Grand Chamber authorises the continued use of the language of the application.

Each individual application is assigned to a Section, whose President designates a rapporteur. After a preliminary examination of the case, the rapporteur decides whether it should be dealt with by a three-member Committee or by a Chamber.

A Committee may decide, by unanimous vote, to declare inadmissible or strike out an application where it can do so without further examination. Individual applications which are not declared inadmissible by Committees or which are referred directly to a Chamber by the rapporteur and State applications are examined by a Chamber. Chambers determine both admissibility and merits, usually in separate decisions but sometimes together.

Chambers may at any time relinquish jurisdiction in favour of a Grand Chamber where a case raises a serious question of interpretation of the Convention or where there is a risk of departing from existing case-law.

The first stage of the procedure is generally written, although the Chamber may decide to hold a hearing, in which case issues arising in relation to the merits will normally also be addressed. Chamber decisions on admissibility, which are taken by majority vote, must contain reasons and be made public.

Once the Chamber has decided to admit the application, it may invite the parties to submit further evidence and written observations, including any claims for "just satisfaction" by the applicant, and to attend a public hearing on the merits of the case.

The President of the Chamber may, in the interests of the proper administration of justice, invite or grant leave to any Contracting State which is not party to the proceedings, or any person concerned who is not Ihe applicant, to submit written comments, and, in exceptional circumstances, lo make representations at the hearing. A Contracting State whose national is an applicant in the case is entitled to intervene as of right.

During the procedure on the merits, negotiations aimed at securing n friendly settlement may be conducted through the intermediary of the Registrar. The friendly settlement negotiations are confidential.

Chambers decide by a majority vote. Any judge who has taken part in the consideration of the case is entitled to append to the judgment a separate opinion, either concurring or dissenting.

Within three months of delivery of the judgment of a Chamber, any party may request that a case be referred to the Grand Chamber if it raises a serious question of interpretation or application or a serious issue of general importance. Such requests are examined by a Grand Chamber panel of five judges composed of the President of the Court, the Section Presidents, with the exception of the Section President who presides over the Section to which the Chamber that gave judgment belongs, and another judge selected by rotation from judges who were not members of the original Chamber.

A Chamber's judgment becomes final at the expiry of the three month period or earlier if the parties announce that they have no intention of requesting a referral or after a decision of the panel rejecting the request for referral to the Grand Chamber. If the panel accepts the request, the Grand Chamber renders its decision on the case in the form of a judgment. The Grand Chamber decides by a majority vote and its judgments are final. All final judgments of the Court are binding on the respondent States concerned.

Responsibility for supervising the execution of judgments lies with the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Activity 2.

Study the following words and phrases.



to claim to be a victim of a violation of the Convention	стверджувати, що ви потерпіли від порушення Конвенції
to lodge directly with the Court in Strasbourg an application	подати заяву безпосередньо до Суду в Страсбурзі
to allege u breach of the Convention right	стверджувати про порушення прав згідно з Конвенцією
adversarial and public trial	змагальний і відкритий судовий розгляд
unless the Chamber/Grand Chamber decides otherwise	якщо палата/велика палата не вирішить інакше
on account of exceptional circumstances	у зв'язку з винятковими обставинами
memorials and other documents filed with the Court's Registry by the parties	меморандуми та інші документи, подані сторонами до канцелярії Суду
accessible to	доступний для
to submit applications	подавати заяви
to declare an application admissible	проголосити заяву прийнятною
sufficient means	достатні кошти
to draft an application	складати заяву
to authorise	санкціонувати, дозволити
to assign to a Section	передавати до секції
to designate a rapporteur	призначати суддю-доповідача
preliminary examination of the case	попередній розгляд справи
to deal with cases	розглядати справи
to declare inadmissible or strike out of the list	проголошувати неприйнятною або вилучати з реєстру
to decide by a majority vote	вирішувати більшістю голосів
to append to the judgment a separate opinion	додавати до рішення окрему думку
concurring opinion	окрема думка, що збігається з думкою більшості
dissenting, opinion	окрема думка, що не збігається і думкою більшості
without further examination	без подальшого розгляду
on the merits of the case	щодо суті справи
to relinquish jurisdiction in favour of a Grand Chamber	відмовитися від юрисдикції на користь великої палати
to submit further evidence and written observations	подавати подальші докази та письмові зауваження
claims for just satisfaction	вимоги щодо справедливої сатисфакції
in the interests of the proper administration of justice	в інтересах належного здійснення правосуддя
to grant leave	надавати дозвіл
to attend a public hearing	бути присутнім на відкритому слуханні
to intervene	втручатися
negotiations aimed at securing a friendly settlement	переговори, що мають на меті досягнення дружнього врегулювання
delivery of the judgment	постановлення судового рішення
at the expiry of the three month period	зі спливом тримісячного періоду
through the intermediary of the Registrar	з посередництвом секретаря Суду
panel of judges	колегія суддів
to reject the request for referral to the Grand Chamber	відхилити клопотання щодо передання до великої палати
binding on the respondent States concerned	обов'язкові для держав-відповідачів, яких це стосується
to supervise the execution of judgments	здійснювати нагляд за виконанням рішень
responsibility for supervising the execution of judgments lies with the Committee of Ministers	відповідальність за здійснення нагляду за виконанням рішень покладається на Комітет Міністрів

Activity 3.

Activity 3.

Translate the following questions into English and ask your classmates to answer them:

1. Хто може подавати заяви до Европейського суду?

2. Які офіційні мови Европейського суду?

3. Якими мовами можна подавати заяви до Суду?

4. Чи є слухання публічними?

5. У яких випадках слухання не є публічними?

6. Хто призначає суддю-доповідача?

7. Що вирішує суддя-доповідач?

8. Які заяви розглядаються палатою?

9. Кому в інтересах належного здійснення правосуддя голова палати може дозволити подати письмові зауваження?

10. Чи є рішення Суду обов'язковими для держави-відповідача?

11. На кого покладається відповідальність за нагляд за виконанням рішень Суду?

Activity 4.

Study the summary on the European Court of Human Rights.

1. The European Court of Human Rights is an international institution which can receive complaints from persons claiming that their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights have been violated. This Convention is a treaty by which a number of European States have agreed to secure certain fundamental rights. The rights guaranteed are set out in the Convention itself, and in four supplementary Protocols, 1,4,6 and 7 which most States have accepted.

2. If you consider that one of the States on the enclosed sheet (Appendix 2) has violated one of these fundamental rights, you may complain to the Court. However, the Court can only deal with complaints relating to the rights listed in the Convention and Protocols. It is not a court of appeal from national courts and cannot annul or modify their decisions. Nor can it intervene directly on your behalf with the authority you complain about.

3. The Court can only receive complaints against the States listed on the enclosed sheet (Appendix 2) and cannot deal with complaints about events before the dates of ratification. The date varies according to the State concerned and according to whether the complaint concerns a right cited in the Convention itself or in one of the Protocols.

4. You can only complain to the Court about matters which are the responsibility of a public authority (legislature, administration, courts of law, etc.) of one of these States. The Court cannot deal with complaints against private individuals or private organisations.

Before applying to the Court you must have exhausted all remedies in the State concerned. This includes bringing your complaint before the highest court which can deal with it. You should make correct use of the available remedies and comply with the time limits and procedural rules. If, for instance, your appeal is rejected because it is too late or because you have not used the proper procedure, the Court probably could not examine your case.

5. After decision of the highest competent national court or authority has been given, you have a six month period within which you may apply to the Court. Unless you have submitted details of your complaint, at least in summary form, within the six month period, the Court will not be able to examine your case.

II. HOW TO APPLY TO THE COURT

6. If you consider that your complaint concerns one of the rights guaranteed by the Convention or its Protocols, and that the conditions referred to above are satisfied, you should first send a letter containing the information mentioned below to the Registrar of the Court at the following address:

The Registrar

European Court of Human Rights

Council of Europe

F-67075 STRASBOURG CEDEX

7. In your letter you should:

(a) give a brief summary of your complaints;

(b) indicate which of your Convention rights you think have been violated;

(c) state what remedies you have used;

(d) list the official decisions in your case, giving the date of each decision, the court or authority which took it, and brief details of the decision itself.

Attach to your letter a copy of these decisions. No documents will be returned to you. Thus it is in your interest only to submit copies, not the originals.

8. The Registrar will reply to your letter. You may be asked for more information or documents or for further explanation of your complaints. You may be informed how the Convention has previously been interpreted in similar cases. However, the Registrar cannot advise you about the law of the State against which you complain.

9. If it appears from your correspondence with the Registrar that your complaint is one which could be registered as an application and you wish this to be done, you will be sent the necessary document on which to submit your formal application. After you have completed and submitted this, it will be brought to the attention of the Court.

10. You will be informed by the Registrar of the progress of your case. The proceedings are in writing at the initial stage. There is no point, therefore, in coming yourself to the-Court's offices.

11. If possible, instruct a lawyers to present your case for you. At a later stage in the proceedings, if you have insufficient means to pay a lawyer's fees, you may be eligible for free legal aid. But legal aid cannot be granted at the time when you lodge your application. It may be granted only if your application is found admissible.

UNIT TWENTY SEVEN. COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Activity 1.

Skim through the text and try to understand its contents

Any European state can become a member of the Council of Europe provided it accepts the principle of the rule of law and guarantees human rights and fundamental freedoms to everyone under its jurisdiction.

The Council of Europe is an intergovernmental organisation which aims:

to protect human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law;

to promote awareness and encourage the development of Europe's cultural identity and diversity;

to seek solutions to problems facing European society (discrimination against minorities, xenophobia, intolerance, environmental protection, human cloning, AIDS, drugs, organised crime, etc.);

to help consolidate democratic stability in Europe by backing political, legislative and constitutional reform.

The Council of Europe should not be confused with the European Union. The two organisations are quite distinct. The 25 European Union states, however, are all members of the Council of Europe. The Palace of Europe in Strasbourg (France) is the Council of Europe's headquarters.

The Council of Europe covers all major issues facing European society other than defence. Its work programme includes the following fields of activity: human rights, media, legal co-operation, social and economic questions, health, education, culture, heritage, sport, youth, local democracy and transfrontier co-operation, the environment and regional planning.

The Committee of Ministers is the Council of Europe's decision making body, and is composed of the Foreign Ministers of the 46 membci states (or their Permanent Representatives). The Parliamentary Assembly is the Organisation's deliberative body, the members of which are appointed by national parliaments. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe is a consultative body representing local and regional authorities Governments, national parliaments and local and regional authorities are thus represented separately.

The Council of Europe periodically organises conferences of specialised ministers (for justice, education, family affairs, health, environment, local authorities, migration, equality between women and men, labour, mass media, culture, sport, youth, etc.).

The conferences analyse the major problems arising in their sectors and foster ongoing contact between ministries dealing with the same subject in member states. They work out projects to be implemented jointly, and propose activities for the Council's work programme.

The Council of Europe's work leads to European conventions und agreements in the light of which member states may subsequently harmonise and amend their own legislation to comply with them.

Some conventions and agreements are also open for adoption by non member states. The results of studies and activities are available to governments in order to fost...