Advocacy

When implementation-related developments occur, such as government action plans or action reports, EIN alerts NGOs from its database who may be interested in becoming involved or who are already involved in the implementation of that specific case.

EIN started the case alert system at the start of 2019, sending out hundreds of alerts to organisations from 22 countries.

This led to a huge increase in NGO engagement in the implementation process, with the number of submissions doubling within the first year.

Making sense of the implementation process and the institutions that govern it is not always straightforward. EIN helps guide organisations and individuals through the process and gives advice on the best way forward.

EIN lalso provides a range of useful resources, including a Guide for Civil Society on Domestic Advocacy and a Handbook for practitioners who would like to engage in the implementation process.

EIN supports NGO implementation efforts by reviewing their Rule 9 submissions and providing them with feedback. These submissions allow NGOs to state their position before the Committee of Ministers, to push for reforms by making recommendations, and help avoid the premature closure of the Committee of Ministers’ supervision.

To maintain its ability to guide the growing number of written submissions, EIN has established a pro-bono collaboration with DLA Piper.

Sharing implementation success stories and best practices in one country can aid in the development of strategies in another. EIN seeks to establish connections through its network of members across Europe, to facilitate exchanges between organizations in different countries who work towards implementing judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

See our blog post on Network Exchange: Sharing Implementation Success on Pre-Trial Detention.

EIN regularly liaises with the Council of Europe’s Department for the Execution of Judgments (DEJ) about particular cases. This allows EIN to obtain feedback regarding the timing and focus of Rule 9 submissions, which is then passed on to NGOs.

This has helped improve the timing and quality of submissions from civil society.

The EIN office is situated close to the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. This helps us arrange advocacy opportunities for civil society visiting Strasbourg. Advocacy opportunities include quarterly civil society briefings to members of the Committee of Ministers; bilateral meetings with staff at the Department for the Execution of Judgments; and discussions with members of the Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.