Defending Dignity: 75 Years of the European Convention on Human Rights
On Human Rights Day, 10 December 2024, I was honoured to speak in the House of Lords to mark the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). It was a moment to reflect not only on the legal and political significance of the Convention but also on its enduring moral power to protect human dignity across generations and borders.
This year marks a pivotal milestone for the ECHR- a treaty born from the ashes of the Second World War, when nations came together with a shared promise: tyranny and injustice would never again prevail.
The Convention, first signed in 1950 and ratified by the UK in 1951, is not just a legal framework. It is a living, breathing safeguard for the rights and freedoms of over 700 million people. At its core, it enshrines values that are universal and enduring: the right to life, liberty, security, and justice. It offers protection against discrimination, torture, and unlawful detention, ensuring that every individual is treated with dignity and equality under the law.
Far from being a relic of the past, the ECHR has proven remarkably resilient and responsive to the challenges of the modern world. It evolves to reflect changing societal norms while staying true to its fundamental mission: defending human dignity.
Its influence is most powerfully felt in places like Northern Ireland, where the Good Friday Agreement incorporates the Convention directly into devolved legislation. This alignment has not only bolstered peace but also provided clear, independent remedies when state mechanisms fall short. The Convention’s guarantee of a fair trial, enshrined in Article 6, has helped correct historical injustices—such as the exoneration of the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four—and reinforced public trust in our judicial system.
More recently, it has played a crucial role in protecting the most vulnerable among us:
In J.D. and A v. The United Kingdom (2019), the European Court of Human Rights found that housing benefit reforms disproportionately harmed a survivor of domestic abuse, who relied on a panic room as part of a government-sponsored safety plan. The ruling—based on Article 14, which prohibits discrimination—underscored the need for policies that truly consider the realities faced by vulnerable women.
In VCL v. The United Kingdom (2021), two trafficked Vietnamese children were arrested and imprisoned, even though authorities knew they were victims of modern slavery. The Court found the UK had breached Articles 4 and 6—protecting against slavery and ensuring fair trials—making it clear that survivors of trafficking deserve protection, not punishment.
These are not isolated incidents, they are reminders of why the Convention matters. It holds governments to account and ensures that no one, regardless of their background or circumstances, is left without recourse.
Some voices have suggested that the UK consider withdrawing from the ECHR. I caution strongly against this deeply troubling notion. Turning our backs on the Convention would unravel decades of progress and leave many, especially the most vulnerable, exposed to renewed injustice.
The ECHR’s influence extends well beyond our borders. It has shaped post-conflict societies, advanced human rights education, and supported legal reform. In Northern Ireland, it has reduced sectarian violence and strengthened protections for minorities. In our courts, schools, and communities, the Convention has turned abstract ideals into tangible, enforceable rights.
Now, more than ever, we must renew our commitment to this foundational treaty. The European Convention on Human Rights remains one of the cornerstones of peace, justice, and democracy—not only in the UK but across the continent. When we uphold these principles, we all benefit: through fairer trials, more inclusive institutions, and more accountable governance.
Let us stand united in its defense, and carry its protections forward into a future where every person’s rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled.
