Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs signs Protocol to European Convention on Human Rights aimed at increased effectiveness of European Court of Human Rights [13 May 2004]

On 13 May 2004 in Strasbourg, Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Rihards Piks signed Protocol No. 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights aimed at reinforcing the effectiveness of the European Court of Human Rights. Addressing the session of the Committee of Ministers, Rihards Piks stressed that the number of complaints received during the recent years has increased approximately 20 times. It has affected adversely both the length of application processing and the quality of decisions; therefore, improvements to the application processing system of the Court had to be introduced.

The Protocol suggests improvements to the mechanism to increase the Court's capacity for filtering applications, and introduces additional criteria for admissibility of applications for review; to the procedure of peaceful settlement of disputes; monitoring of court decisions; and the procedure for electing judges. The Protocol provides also for the EU's joining the European Convention of Human Rights.  

Latvia's representatives participated in the drafting of the Protocol and, together with other countries, reached a compromise in the discussions on the proposal to introduce additional criteria for accepting and reviewing of complaint applications in point of fact, so as not to impede the rights of individuals to file complaints. 

Protocol No. 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights will take effect when ratified by all Convention member states.

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