There are three regional human rights systems, each with its own legal agreements and control mechanisms: one for Europe, one for the Americas, and one for Africa. There is not yet a regional human rights system in Asia.

The European Convention on Human Rights was adopted by the Council of Europe in 1950 and entered into force in 1953. As a part of the Convention, the European Court of Human Rights was established (1959). Any person who feels his or her rights have been violated by a state member can bring their case to the Court. The European Convention on Human Rights mainly encompasses civil and political rights and also rights to a fair trial and freedom of expression. The economic, social, and cultural rights are described in the European Social Charter from 1961.

The American Convention on Human Rights was adopted by the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1969 and entered into force in 1979.* As part of the Convention, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter- American Court of Human Rights were established. With the exceptions of Dominica, Grenada and Jamaica, all states who have ratified the Convention have recognized the jurisdiction of the Court. The decisions of the Court are final and binding. Court hearings are public. Individuals cannot bring their cases to the Court. 

The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights was adopted by the Organization of African Unity (later the African Union) in 1981 and entered into force in 1986.** As part of the Charter the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (1987) and the African Court on Human and People’s Rights (2006) were established. The Court complements the protective mandate of the Commission. Its decisions are final and binding on state parties to the Court’s Protocol.

In Asia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is the most important regional organization with 10 member states. The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (2009) adopted the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration in 2012. However, no court or enforcement mechanism to ensure the fulfilment of the declaration has been established.


* 25 states have ratified the Convention by 2019. The United States of America has signed but not ratified the Convention and Canada has not signed nor ratified.

** The African Union has 55 member states by June 2019. They have all ratified the African Charter.



Zuletzt geändert: Dienstag, 17. August 2021, 13:58