The European Convention on Human Rights underwent a spectacular evolution over the first fifty years of its life. In recent times the European Court of Human Rights has been compared to a quasi-constitutional court for Europe in the field of human rights, and for some time the Convention has been viewed as a European Bill of Rights. The 'coming of age' of the ECHR system in the late 1990's was marked by the entry into force of Protocol 11, creating a new, full time Court.
By contrast those who first proposed a European human rights guarantee were driven by an ambition to put in place a collective pact to prevent the re-emergence of totalitarianism in 'free' Europe. They were motivated by grisly memories of human rights abuse associated with World War Two, and the protection of 'human rights' was seen in that light. When the Convention was opened for signature in 1950 it was viewed by many with skepticism and disappointment. The Convention system took many years to get established. In the mid-1960's doubts were expressed as to whether the Court had a future and in the 1970's the Convention system of control faced a number of serious challenges.
This book examines the story of the evolution of the Convention over its first 50 years (1948-1998). It reflects on the Convention's origins and charts the slow progress that it made over the 1950's and 1960's, before, in the late 1970's, the European Court of Human Rights delivered a series of landmark judgments which proved to be the foundation stones for the European Bill of Rights that we know today.

Now in its fifth edition, Harris, O'Boyle, and Warbrick: Law of the European Convention on Human Rights remains an indispensable resource for undergraduates, postgraduates, and practitioners alike. The new edition builds on the strengths of previous editions, providing an up-to-date, clear, and comprehensive account of Strasbourg case law and its underlying principles. It sets out and critically analyses each Convention article (including those addressed by relevant Protocols), and thoroughly examines the system of supervision. The book also addresses the pressures and challenges facing the Strasbourg system in the twenty-first century. Digital formats This fifth edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats. The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks