EBOOK European Convention on Human Rights and the Conflict in Northern Ireland

This book provides the first comprehensive account of the role played by the        European Convention on Human Rights during the conflict in Northern Ireland from        1968. Brice Dickson studies the effectiveness of the Convention in protecting human        rights in a society wracked by terrorism and deep political conflict, detailing the        numerous applications lodged at Strasbourg relating to the conflict and considering        how they were dealt with by the enforcement bodies. The book illustrates        thelimitations inherent in the Convention system but also demonstrates how the        European Commission and Court of Human Rights gradually developed a more        interventionist approach to the applications emanating from Northern Ireland. In        turn this allowed the Convention to become a more secure guarantor ofbasic rights        and freedoms during times of extreme civil unrest and political turmoil elsewhere in        Europe.The topics examined include the right to life, the right not to be        ill-treated, the right to liberty, the right to a fair trial, the right to a private        life, the right to freedom of belief, the right to freedom of expression, the right        to freedom of assembly, and the right not to be discriminated against. The book        argues that, while eventually the European Court did use the applications from        Northern Ireland to establish important human rights principles, their development        was slow and arduousand some gaps in protection still remain. The book illustrates        the limits of the European Convention as a tool for protecting human rights in times        of crisis.