What’s in a name? (2)

Another important distinction that must be grasped when considering EU institutions is the difference between the (EU) European Court of Justice (ECJ) and the (non-EU) European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

As we stated before, the ECJ is a formal EU institution that presides over EU law.

The ECHR, however, is a legal body created to enforce the European Convention on Human Rights, a convention to which member states of the Council of Europe are signatories.

It is important to remember that…

1. The ECJ enforces the treaties of the EU and IS an EU institution
2. The ECHR enforces a convention of the Council of Europe and is NOT a EU institution

… and the two are not connected!!

Watch this informative video on the ECHR. A link to the video can also be found at ECHR

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