Norway has signed a Protocol on reform of the European Court of Human Rights

Today Foreign Minister Jan Petersen signed Protocol No. 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights, amending the control system of the Convention.

The Protocol was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 12 May and is part of a package of measures designed to ensure the future of the European Court of Human Rights.

The European Court of Human Rights receives applications from persons, groups or organisations in one of the 45 Member States of the Council of Europe claiming to be victims of violations of the rights set out in the Convention. The Court has been a tremendous success, which has led to serious problems in terms of its workload. The number of applications has increased from about 5 000 in 1990 to close to 40 000 in 2003, and this trend is expected to continue. At the end of 2003, the Court had more than 65 000 cases pending before it.

The primary purpose of the Protocol is to improve the efficiency of the Court. For instance, more straightforward cases will be decided by fewer judges, and the Court will be able to declare inadmissible applications where the applicant has not suffered a significant disadvantage. The Protocol does not amend any of the rights or freedoms set out in the Convention.

In order to enter into force, the Protocol must be ratified by all the Member States of the Council of Europe.