The European Convention on Human Rights, signed in Rome on 1 November 1950, entered into force on 3 September 1953. Today we celebrate its 60th anniversary.

Interesting facts

• The European Convention was the first instrument to give effect and binding force to some of the rights stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

• Thanks to the Convention and the supranational court it established, human rights have for the first time in history gained precedence over national laws and practices.

• The Convention was originally signed by 12 countries and its entry into force was triggered by the 10th ratification, which was deposited by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

• Convention contains 59 Articles and was amended or supplemented by 14 Protocols.

• Since 1953, over half a million human rights complaints have been brought under the Convention and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has delivered c. 16,500 judgments.