The European Convention on Human Rights (formally The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms) was signed in Rome by the member states of the Council of Europe on 4 November 1950. The Convention entered into force on 3 September 1953. Now 47 states are parties to the Convention, including Russia.
The Convention states the civil and political rights considered to be common to the peoples of Europe. The basic obligation is contained in Article I, according to which the contracting parties must protect the human rights of any person within their jurisdiction.
The rights protected by the Convention include the right to life (Art.2), prohibition of torture or inhumane or degrading treatment (Art.3), prohibition of slavery (Art.4), the right to liberty and security of person (Art.5), and the right to due process of law in respect of criminal or civil proceedings (Art.6), the right to privacy (Art.8), prohibition of discrimination (Art.14), etc.
In general, the main purpose of the Convention is to prevent or punish wholesale violations of human rights. A breach of the Convention entails international responsibility.
The European Court of Human Rights was established on 21 January 1959 under Article 19 of the Convention. The Court is located in Strasbourg, France. The Court is responsible for ensuring the enforcement of the European Convention in the member states of the Council of Europe.
The number of judges sitting in the Court is equal to that of contracting states to the Convention. The retiring age of judges is 70. A judge can be removed from office if the other judges decide by the two-thirds majority that the judge doesn’t meet the requirements any longer.
The Court’s jurisdiction is to hear complaints (known as petitions) by one state against another. It may also hear complaints by an individual, a group of individuals or a non-governmental organization claiming to be a victim of a breach of the Convention.
The Court has the power to make a final ruling, which is binding on the parties, and in some cases to award compensation. The Court can also issue advisory opinions which are non-binding.
Task 3. Найдите в тексте английские эквиваленты следующих лексических единиц.
Европейская конвенция о правах человека (Конвенция о защите прав человека и основных свобод); конвенция была подписана; конвенция вступила в силу; Совет Европы; договаривающиеся государства; государства-члены; участник конвенции; гражданские и политические права; защищать права; право на жизнь; запрещение пыток и бесчеловечного или унижающего достоинство обращения; запрещение рабства; право на свободу и личную неприкосновенность; надлежащая правовая процедура; нарушение прав человека; наказывать; обязательство; обязательный; уголовное и гражданское судопроизводство; международная ответственность; Европейский суд по правам человека; отстранить от должности; юрисдикция; жалоба; физическое лицо; неправительственные организации; окончательное постановление; присудить компенсацию; консультативные заключения.
Task 4. Образуйте антонимы от слов с помощью префиксов(например, political – nonpolitical) и переведите слова на русский язык.
in ir non- un
bindingequal reasonable
capital famous recoverable
certain governmental respective
discriminating humane responsible
due important usual
Task 5. Образуйте пары синонимов и переведите слова на русский язык.
binding breach complaint convention execution fulfillment judgment liability mass obligatory petition responsibility ruling treaty violation wholesale
Task 6. Дайте ответы на вопросы (см. Task 2).
1. When and by whom was the European Convention on Human Rights signed?
2. When did the Convention enter into force?
3. What basic obligation does Article 1 contain?
4. What rights does the Convention protect?
5. What is the main purpose of the Convention?
6. When was the European Court of Human Rights established?
7. Where is the Court located?
8. What is the Court responsible for?
9. How many judges sit in the Court?
10. Is it possible to remove a judge from office?
11. Who is entitled to file a complaint to the Court?
12. What kind of powers does the Court have?
Task 7. Выразите своё согласие или несогласие.
1. The European Convention on Human Rights was concluded on September 3, 1953.
2. The European Court of Human Rights is situated in Rome.
3. The provision of Article I obliges states to protect the human rights and freedoms of any person within their jurisdiction.
4. Judges of the Court retire at 65.
5. The Court’s ruling is final and binding on the parties.
6. At present 15 states are parties to the Convention.
7. The Convention prohibits torture or inhumane or degrading treatment and punishment.
8. Article 2 of the Convention guarantees the right to a speedy and fair trial.
9. The Convention has had a significant impact on the law of human rights in Europe since its entry into force.
Task 8. Переведите предложения на английский язык.
1. Европейская конвенция о правах человека оказала огромное влияние на право Европейских государств.
2. В каком году Россия стала участником Конвенции?
3. В соответствии со ст.5 Конвенции каждый человек имеет право на свободу и личную неприкосновенность.
4. Cудьи Европейского суда по правам человека пребывают в должности шесть лет и могут быть переизбраны.
5. Вправе ли Джим подать жалобу в Суд?