What’s so important about the ECHR? What makes it different to other international laws, like treaties?

There are lots of different types of international laws, often called treaties or conventions. Some are about human rights (like the UNDHR or the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESRC)) and some are about other issues like trade or defence. Some treaties or conventions are made as part of the United Nations system (like the UNDHR or ICESRC) or as part of other international organisations (like the ECHR). The ECHR is different to a lot of other international treaties because it sets out a list of fundamental human rights for all the people in Member State countries and set up the European Court of Human Rights so people can access justice if their rights are risked. This means people can take the UK Government to the Court if it doesn’t respect, protect and fulfil their rights.