Protection of Human Rights under the ECHR and Central Europe: Romania

Kovács, Bence Zsolt (2025) Protection of Human Rights under the ECHR and Central Europe: Romania. EUROPEAN INTEGRATION STUDIES, 21 (2). pp. 239-278. ISSN 1588-6735

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Abstract

In 2024, Romania commemorated 30 years since ratifying the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), a crucial milestone in its human rights development. This anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on Romania’s integration into the European multilevel system of human rights protection, which fosters convergence across European states. The European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) view of the Convention as a “living instrument,” combined with Romania’s adherence to its evolving judicial practice, has helped the country align with the latest human rights standards, addressing systemic issues such as prison conditions, excessively lengthy judicial proceedings, judicial independence, and property restitution.This chapter explores the historical evolution of human rights in Romania, focusing on the impact of ECHR ratification on the country’s constitutional framework and legislation. It examines Romania’s relationship with the Council of Europe and the role of landmark ECtHR cases in shaping national legal reforms. Additionally, the chapter assesses the ongoing challenges in implementing ECtHR standards and highlights the country’s progress. Importantly, it discusses the creation of a legal paradigm rooted in democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of human dignity. Ultimately, by Romania’s acceptance of international human rights norms, for the first time in the country’s history, real content and substance were added to existing nominal or formal guarantees, transforming abstract legal provisions into practical protections.

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