What are the limits of free speech? Who is liable for hate speech on the Internet? Is there a right to be forgotten? How should the State deal with fake news and attempted election manipulation? Is there a right to assisted suicide? Can vaccination be imposed? When can a political party be dissolved? What are the State’s duties in respect of domestic violence ? What rights and what duties do refugees have? How much force is the police allowed to use? Does the Convention apply to military operations in third countries? What requirements does the Convention place on the independence of the courts? Are irreducible life-sentences compatible with the Convention? What requirements does the Convention place on the protection of the environment and the climate?

These are only some of the many topical issues which the European Court of Human Rights had to deal with recently. They are the subject-matter of the Seminar on the Case-law of the European Court of Human Rights which is held every winter term at the German University of Administrative Sciences (Speyer). However, the Seminar will be taking a break during the winter term 2026-27.

The European Court of Human Rights is located in Strasbourg. It is entrusted with authoritatively interpreting the European Convention on Human Rights which is in force in 46 European States. Its judgments lay down pan-European binding minimum standards, which offer important guidance for State action in a large variety of areas, not least in that of the administration.