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'''European Court of Human Rights''' is a court established as part of the ''[[European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms]]'' signed November 4, 1950 in [[Rome]] by the Contracting States of the [[Council of Europe]].  The Council of Europe has grown from the original 10 signatories to 41, including countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union.

The '''European Court of Human Rights''' is a court established as part of the ''[[European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms]]'' signed November 4, 1950 in [[Rome]] by the Contracting States of the [[Council of Europe]].  The Council of Europe has grown from the original 10 signatories to 41, including countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union.

Any citizen who felt that a a nation refused to rectify a violation of their rights as defined by the European Convention could appeal to the ''European Court of Human Rights''. Prior to November 1998, complaints were first heard by the [[European Commission of Human Rights]], which would determine admissibility and encourage a "friendly settlement" between the individual and the nation.

Any citizen who felt that a a nation refused to rectify a violation of their rights as defined by the European Convention could appeal to the ''European Court of Human Rights''. Prior to November 1998, complaints were first heard by the [[European Commission of Human Rights]], which would determine admissibility and encourage a "friendly settlement" between the individual and the nation.