EU Accession to the European Convention on Human Rights

4 December 2012

The accession of the European Union to the European Convention on Human Rights offers enhanced protection for fundamental rights, in particular by creating accountability for the EU before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). It may also result in EU policy being oriented more towards human rights promotion, in light of the positive obligations imposed by the convention. At the same time it raises questions about the relationship between the Strasbourg and Luxembourg courts, as well as the relationship between the EU, its Member States, and the ECtHR.

The Open Society European Policy Institute, in collaboration with University College London's European Institute, is pleased to invite you to an event gathering representatives from the Council of Europe, European Union and its Member States, civil society organisations and academic commentators to discuss the legal and political implications of the EU's accession to the ECHR. The meeting will explore these institutional, procedural and substantive questions:

• What kind of accession agreement is likely to emerge from the resumed negotiations between the EU and the Council of Europe?
• How will the rules regulating the EU's internal procedures affect the way that the EU and its Member States are represented as co-respondents in cases before the ECtHR?
• Should complaints between the EU and Member States be excluded from the remit of the ECtHR?
• What will the relationship be between the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) and the ECtHR?
• To what extent, if at all, will the autonomy of the EU legal order and the CJEU be affected?
• Will accession move the EU from a 'Europe of markets' to a 'Europe of rights'?
• How will accession affect the position of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and can tensions be expected between the Convention and the Charter?

A series of short presentations by panellists will be followed by an open Q&A. The meeting will be held under the Chatham House Rule to encourage an open and frank debate. We expect a short briefing paper drawing on issues raised by the discussion to follow.

A light lunch will be provided.

RSVP | Tarana.ahmadova@opensocietyfoundations.org by Friday 23rd November.

Please note that there is limited availability of places. Participation is by invitation only.

Supported by The Open Society European Policy Institute.

With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union.