According to Articles 46 and 39.4 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the High Contracting Parties have undertaken to comply with final judgments of the European Court of Human Rights finding violations of the Convention, as well as with Court’s decisions taking note of friendly settlements.

The adoption of necessary execution measures is supervised by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, comprised of government representatives of 47 member states. The Committee is assisted by the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the Court, Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law.

The states have a legal obligation to remedy the violations found but enjoy a margin of appreciation as regards the means to be used. The measures to be taken are, in principle, identified by the state concerned, under supervision of the Committee of Ministers. The Court can assist the execution process, in particular through the pilot-judgment procedure (used in case of major structural problems).

Measures to be taken may be of an individual or general nature.

Individual measures

Execution measures must first put an end to the violation and remedy, as far as possible, its negative consequences for the applicant. Thus, as far as the applicant’s individual situation is concerned, the main obligation of the respondent state is to take measures that will achieve, as far as possible, restitutio in integrum for the applicant.

This implies the payment of the sum awarded by the Court as just satisfaction or agreed between the parties in a friendly settlement. Default interest is due in case of late payment.

When mere monetary compensation cannot adequately erase the consequences of a violation, the Committee of Ministers makes sure that the authorities take any other individual measures which may be required to remedy the violation. The judgments themselves contain on occasion additional recommendations.

Examples of individual measures taken

•  Restoration of contacts (subject to the best interest of the child) between children and parents unduly separated from them (e.g. in case of children placed in foster care or kidnapped by the other parent).
• Reopening of unfair criminal proceedings.
• Revocation of expulsion orders that would have exposed the applicants to risks of torture or ill-treatment, or life threatening circumstances in the country of destination.

General measures

Execution of judgments also requires general measures to prevent similar violations found by the Court (whether through changes of legislation, case law or through other kinds of measures).

Where domestic authorities give direct effect to the Court’s judgments and jurisprudence, publication and dissemination of the judgments, where necessary translated and commented, is frequently sufficient to achieve necessary changes and to ensure effective domestic remedies.

Examples of general measures taken

• Introduction of effective remedies against excessive length of court proceedings.
• Removal of discrimination against children born out of wedlock (e.g. in inheritance matters).
• Adoption of legislation to prevent arbitrary recourse to telephone-tapping.
• Lifting of undue restrictions on journalists’ freedom of expression.

The procedure

The Committee of Ministers ensures continuous supervision of the execution of judgments and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. Cases remain under supervision until the required measures have been taken. Supervision is then closed by a final resolution.

Once judgments and decisions become final, states indicate to the Committee of Ministers as soon as possible the measures planned and/ or taken in an “action plan”. Once all the measures have been taken, an “action report” is submitted. During the supervision process, applicants, NGOs and National Institutions for the promotion and protection of Human Rights can submit communications, in writing.

The supervision of the adoption and implementation of action plans has followed a new twin-track procedure since January 2011. Most cases follow the standard procedure. An enhanced procedure is used for cases requiring urgent individual measures or revealing important structural problems (in particular pilot-judgments) and for inter-state cases.

Where necessary, the Committee of Ministers may assist execution in different ways, notably through recommendations set out in decisions and interim resolutions. The Council of Europe can provide states with additional support in the form of targeted programs where so requested (e.g. legal expertise, round tables or training activities).

Video on Introduction to Execution: