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The ''European Convention on Human Rights'' (''ECHR'') (formally the ''Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms'') is an international convention to protect [[human rights]] and political freedoms in Europe. Drafted in 1950 by the then newly formed Council of Europe, <ref>the Council of Europe should not be confused with the Council of the European Union or the European Council.</ref> the convention entered into force on 3 September 1953. All Council of Europe member states are party to the Convention and new members are expected to ratify the convention at the earliest opportunity.

The Convention established the [https://www.echr.coe.int/Pages/home.aspx?p=home European Court of Human Rights] (ECHR), which sits at Strasbourg. Any person who feels their rights have been violated under the Convention by a state-party can take a case to the Court. Judgments finding violations are binding on the States concerned and they are obliged to execute them. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe monitors the execution of judgements, particularly to ensure payment of the amounts awarded by the Court to the applicants in compensation for the damage they have sustained.