On 15 May, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, accompanied by the Deputy Registrar, Abel Campos, attended the 135th Session of the Committee of Ministers of the 46 Council of Europe member States, held in Chişinău, Republic of Moldova.
During the session, the foreign ministers adopted the Chişinău Declaration, which underlines the extraordinary contribution of the Convention system to the protection and promotion of human rights and the rule of law in Europe. The Declaration also reaffirms the central role of the Convention system in the maintenance and promotion of democratic security and peace throughout the continent. It reaffirms member States’ deep and abiding commitment to the Convention and their support for the independence of the Court and the integrity of the Convention system, while noting the need to balance the general interest of the community with individual rights.
The President of the Court took the floor to address the Committee of Ministers. Emphasising that the Court acts as a pillar of stability, he stressed that it remains firmly committed to the principle of subsidiarity and shared responsibility; attuned to present day conditions; and dedicated to institutional dialogue, while preserving its judicial independence.
He highlighted the impact of the Court’s work, noting that its judgments do not simply protect human rights: “They ensure accountability. Certify truth. Protect democracy and the rule of law. Defend State sovereignty. Provide redress to victims. Solidify peace.”
The President also underlined that the Court’s judicial independence lies at the heart of the Convention system. “It must be preciously guarded, at all times. Its credibility depends upon it. Its legitimacy depends upon it. Its viability depends upon it,” he said.
The 135th Session concluded with the transfer of the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers from the Republic of Moldova to Monaco.
From 12-13 May 2026, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, together with the judge elected in respect of Romania, Sebastian Rădulețu, and the Deputy Registrar of the Court, Abel Campos, travelled to Bucharest, Romania, to meet with the President and the interim Prime Minister of Romania as well as with representatives of the highest Romanian judiciary.
The delegation was received by the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, and also met with the interim Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, exchanging on the continued importance of the protection of human rights in the current geopolitical context.
An afternoon was spent at the Constitutional Court of Romania where the delegation was greeted by its President, Professor Elena-Simina Tănăsescu, and by all judges of the court. President Guyomar and Judge Rădulețu held a working meeting with judges on the theme of constitutional democracy and rule of law, and on Protocol No. 16 to the Convention, which allows the highest courts and tribunals of a State Party to ask the Court to give advisory opinions on questions of principle relating to the interpretation or application of the rights and freedoms defined in the Convention or protocols.
President Guyomar highlighted how, over the course of its 75-year history, the Convention had repeatedly demonstrated its ability to bring about positive and tangible change for millions of people across Europe. What made it particularly exceptional was the way in which, by safeguarding individual rights, it helped to ensure the proper functioning of European democracies in the face of contemporary challenges.
The following afternoon the delegation was received by the President of the High Court of Cassation and Justice, Lia Savonea, and held a working meeting with a large number of the court’s judges on the guarantees of judicial independence in the case-law of the European Court, and the application of the Convention in domestic law.
In their speeches, President Guyomar and Judge Rădulețu emphasised how, in applying the Convention, the Court fulfils its role as a watchdog and guardian of democracy and the rule of law, complementing and supporting national courts. A rich question and answer session followed, especially on the Court’s approach to requests for advisory opinions under Protocol No. 16.
The visit concluded with the President being interviewed by the State broadcaster TVR.
In the case of Yasak v. Türkiye the Court held that there had been a violation of the principle no punishment without law and a violation of the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment.
The case concerned the applicant’s conviction for membership of an armed terrorist organisation described by the Turkish authorities as the Fetullahist Terror Organisation/Parallel State Structure.
From 28 to 29 April 2026 the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, together with the judge elected in respect of Spain, María Elósegui, and the Registrar of the Court, Marialena Tsirli, travelled to Madrid, Spain, to meet with representatives of the Spanish judiciary and with His Majesty King Felipe VI.
On 28 April the delegation was received at the Supreme Court of Spain by its President, Isabel Perelló Doménech, and by other members of the Court.
After the reception, President Guyomar gave a lecture on “The Independence of the Judiciary, a Fundamental Principle of the Rule of Law”.
The President emphasised the importance of dialogue between the European Court of Human Rights and national courts. He also addressed criticisms of the Convention system and the inseparability of democracy and the rule of law.
On 29 April the delegation visited the Constitutional Court of Spain, where it was received by President Cándido Conde Pumpido Tourón and other judges.
Later that day, President Guyomar delivered a speech on “European Public Order and Constitutional Identities”.
He stressed the role of constitutional courts in the Convention system and pointed out that the Court was very attentive to the constitutional identity of member States, relying on close dialogue with constitutional courts in that connection.
On 29 April His Majesty King Felipe VI granted the President of the European Court of Human Rights, the President of the Constitutional Court of Spain, and the President of the Supreme Court of Spain a personal audience with him at Zarzuela Palace.
Court President addresses the 135th Session of the Committee of Ministers in Chişinău
On 15 May, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, accompanied by the Deputy Registrar, Abel Campos, attended the 135th Session of the Committee of Ministers of the 46 Council of Europe member States, held in Chişinău, Republic of Moldova.
During the session, the foreign ministers adopted the Chişinău Declaration, which underlines the extraordinary contribution of the Convention system to the protection and promotion of human rights and the rule of law in Europe. The Declaration also reaffirms the central role of the Convention system in the maintenance and promotion of democratic security and peace throughout the continent. It reaffirms member States’ deep and abiding commitment to the Convention and their support for the independence of the Court and the integrity of the Convention system, while noting the need to balance the general interest of the community with individual rights.
The President of the Court took the floor to address the Committee of Ministers. Emphasising that the Court acts as a pillar of stability, he stressed that it remains firmly committed to the principle of subsidiarity and shared responsibility; attuned to present day conditions; and dedicated to institutional dialogue, while preserving its judicial independence.
He highlighted the impact of the Court’s work, noting that its judgments do not simply protect human rights: “They ensure accountability. Certify truth. Protect democracy and the rule of law. Defend State sovereignty. Provide redress to victims. Solidify peace.”
The President also underlined that the Court’s judicial independence lies at the heart of the Convention system. “It must be preciously guarded, at all times. Its credibility depends upon it. Its legitimacy depends upon it. Its viability depends upon it,” he said.
The 135th Session concluded with the transfer of the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers from the Republic of Moldova to Monaco.
Court delegation visits Romania
From 12-13 May 2026, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, together with the judge elected in respect of Romania, Sebastian Rădulețu, and the Deputy Registrar of the Court, Abel Campos, travelled to Bucharest, Romania, to meet with the President and the interim Prime Minister of Romania as well as with representatives of the highest Romanian judiciary.
The delegation was received by the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, and also met with the interim Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, exchanging on the continued importance of the protection of human rights in the current geopolitical context.
An afternoon was spent at the Constitutional Court of Romania where the delegation was greeted by its President, Professor Elena-Simina Tănăsescu, and by all judges of the court. President Guyomar and Judge Rădulețu held a working meeting with judges on the theme of constitutional democracy and rule of law, and on Protocol No. 16 to the Convention, which allows the highest courts and tribunals of a State Party to ask the Court to give advisory opinions on questions of principle relating to the interpretation or application of the rights and freedoms defined in the Convention or protocols.
President Guyomar highlighted how, over the course of its 75-year history, the Convention had repeatedly demonstrated its ability to bring about positive and tangible change for millions of people across Europe. What made it particularly exceptional was the way in which, by safeguarding individual rights, it helped to ensure the proper functioning of European democracies in the face of contemporary challenges.
The following afternoon the delegation was received by the President of the High Court of Cassation and Justice, Lia Savonea, and held a working meeting with a large number of the court’s judges on the guarantees of judicial independence in the case-law of the European Court, and the application of the Convention in domestic law.
In their speeches, President Guyomar and Judge Rădulețu emphasised how, in applying the Convention, the Court fulfils its role as a watchdog and guardian of democracy and the rule of law, complementing and supporting national courts. A rich question and answer session followed, especially on the Court’s approach to requests for advisory opinions under Protocol No. 16.
The visit concluded with the President being interviewed by the State broadcaster TVR.
Judicial activities
The Court has accepted a request from Slovenia’s Supreme Court for an advisory opinion concerning landowners’ property rights in relation to the construction of national roads.
The Supreme Court has asked the Court to provide guidance on whether allowing the issuance of a building permit and the construction of a motorway without first expropriating the affected land constitutes an unjustified interference with the landowners’ property rights, as protected by Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 to the Convention and Article 33 of the Constitution of Slovenia.
The Court has accepted a request for an advisory opinion submitted by the Constitutional Court of Luxembourg Court
The request concerns the compatibility with the provisions of the Convention, in particular Article 6 (right to a fair hearing), of the obligation for lawyers facing disciplinary proceedings to appear in person before a disciplinary tribunal and their impossibility of applying for a fresh hearing in the event of an in absentia decision against them. It will be examined by the Grand Chamber, comprising 17 judges, constituted in accordance with Rule 24 § 2 (g) of the Rules of Court. This is the first request for an advisory opinion submitted by one of the highest courts in Luxembourg.
On 11 May 2026, the Court has accepted the referral to the Grand Chamber of the case Z and Others v. Finland.
The case concerns the Finnish courts’ decision to order the return of X and Y, who have been granted asylum in Finland, to Russia under the Hague Child Abduction Convention.
The Court has also decided to reject a request to refer 10 other cases.
In the case of B.M. v. Switzerland the Court held that there had been no violation of the right to liberty and security.
The case concerned the rejection of the application for release on licence made by the applicant, a paedophile who had been in preventive detention since 2005 following his conviction for sexual assault of minors, and the Administrative Court’s failure to hold a hearing in his case.
Transparency and outreach
On 15 May, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 135th Session of the Committee of Ministers of the 46 Council of Europe member States in Chişinău, Republic of Moldova. President Guyomar had the opportunity to exchange views with Sabine Monauni, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Environment and Culture of Liechtenstein; Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia; Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Luxembourg; Ervin Ibrahimović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Montenegro; Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark; Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, and Attorney General Richard Hermer; Gunther Krichbaum, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany; and Audra Plepytė, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.
On 14 May, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, accompanied by the Deputy Registrar, Abel Campos, visited the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova, where they met with its President, Domnica Manole, as well as judges and legal staff. During the meeting, both the President of the Constitutional Court and the President of the European Court of Human Rights addressed the participants, highlighting the importance of judicial dialogue, the application of the European Convention on Human Rights in domestic law, and the principle of subsidiarity.
The visit took place the day before the 135th Session of the Committee of Ministers, held in Chişinău.
On the agenda
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