CYIL vol. 13 (2022)

CYIL 13 ȍ2022Ȏ 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Šturma, P., Tymofeyeva, A. (eds.) et al. 70 th Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights RW&W, Waldkirchen 2021, 208 pages [70. výročí Evropské úmluvy o lidských právech] Recent anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights has certainly not escaped the attention of any international lawyer. The seven decades of the existence of this living instrument, whose operation has an impact not only on the State Parties, but – more importantly – on individuals, is without any doubt a memorable highlight at the international law scene. It is therefore more than appropriate to applaud the Convention’s timelessness and significance through an in-depth assessment of its unique features as well as the topical challenges the instrument faces nowadays. This is the primary aim of the volume devoted to the 70 th anniversary of the Convention, in which the contributions of 15 authors pertinently underline the dynamic versatility of this significant treaty. The reviewed publication, which deals with various aspects of the Convention, collects the analyses and opinions of both scholars and practitioners that resulted from an international conference held in November 2020. At that already turbulent time, when States’ guarantees of human rights were confronted with their endeavour to limit the spread of Covid-19, no one expected that the Convention would have to experience yet another challenge – a loss of one High Contracting Party, with all legal and practical peculiarities arising therefrom. These could warrant an entirely separate publication, posing a range of interesting questions. Missing out on this opportunity, however, in no way diminishes the attractiveness of the present monograph that touches upon the most echoed issues in the recent and contemporary life of the Convention. Topical questions like business, data protection, migration, Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the climate change in the Convention’s application are all reflected, in addition to the more “traditional” aspects, such as history of the Convention and State responsibility. These are complemented with the procedural aspects and the Court’s interaction with other relevant bodies. The variety of thought-provoking and cross-cutting issues alone definitely makes the book a worthy read. Moreover, the fact that its authors, under the editorship of two well-experienced scholars, range from academics and practitioners to experts from “inside” the Court, promises an all-embracing perspective. The preface written by Malfred Nowak , an eminent human rights expert, and the annexed statement of Drahoslav Štefánek , then Special Representative on Migration and Refugees, enjoyably invigorate the main parts of the book. The monograph is divided into five parts, comprising 13 Chapters in total. The first Chapter offers an interesting historical and statistical overview from a librarian’s standpoint, that adds value to the commemorative background of the publication. Genevieve Woods , the head of the Court’s library, explains the categories of publications related to the Convention, as well as the catalogue of the Court’s case-law, giving helpful hints with regard to searched keywords. Providing a concise and useful guide on documentation, the Chapter is a must read point of departure for anyone who wishes to focus his or her research on the Convention and the Court. At the same time, in no way can the monograph be taken as a guide or a human rights textbook. Quite the contrary, it is more suitable for advanced readers, already

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