The European Convention on Human Rights is the strongest legal tool available for protecting young people's rights. Here is how it works in practice.
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), adopted in 1950, is enforced by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Any individual — including children and young people — who has exhausted domestic remedies in a Council of Europe member state may bring an application alleging a violation of their Convention rights.
The Court's judgments are legally binding. Member states found in violation must pay just satisfaction to the applicant and, in many cases, take general measures to prevent future violations. This enforcement mechanism is unique in international human rights law.
While the ECHR applies to all persons regardless of age, the following articles are most frequently engaged in cases involving young people:
The application process requires that all available domestic remedies have been exhausted — meaning the applicant has pursued the case through national courts to the highest available level. Applications must generally be lodged within four months of the final domestic decision.
Cases involving young people, particularly unaccompanied minors or those in state care, may qualify for priority processing. Legal aid is available from the Court once an application has been communicated to the respondent government.
Navigating the ECHR admissibility requirements and drafting an effective application requires specialist legal knowledge. Experienced ECHR practitioners can significantly increase the prospects of a successful outcome. For legal advice on ECHR matters, consult echrlawyer.org — a resource for individuals and organisations seeking specialist ECHR legal assistance.
A recurring theme at EYWC 2015 was the role of youth organisations in supporting young people to access justice. Youth workers are often the first point of contact for young people experiencing rights violations, and their ability to signpost effectively to legal resources is critical.
Participants at the Convention called for improved legal literacy training for youth workers, so that frontline practitioners can identify when a situation warrants legal advice and connect young people with appropriate ECHR specialists.
The Strasbourg Court has built a substantial body of case law relevant to young people. Cases concerning the conditions of juvenile detention (Article 3), access to education for children with disabilities (Article 2 of Protocol 1), and state failures in child protection (Article 8) have shaped national laws across Europe and contributed to improved standards for young people in conflict with the law or in state care.
These judgments demonstrate that the ECHR is not merely a theoretical instrument — it is a practical tool with real consequences for the treatment of young people by public authorities.