The European Court of Human Rights

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This book introduces the European Court of Human Rights, outlining its mission, institutional structure, procedures, and evolving jurisprudence. It shows how the Court stands as a cornerstone of international and human rights law while contending with rising applications, political resistance, and disputes over contentious issues such as migration and criminal justice. It highlights the tensions with national courts and examines the mounting challenges to its authority from political actors. It analyses the consequences of Russia’s withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights in 2022, Türkiye’s resistance to implementing judgments, and the significance of recent rulings on climate change and minority rights in the Baltic States. Finally, the book demonstrates the Court’s lasting influence through landmark cases and questions whether it can continue to serve as ‘Europe’s conscience’ in an era of populism and shifting values.</jats:p>