ETS 5 – Human Rights (Convention), 4.XI.1950
__________________________________________________________________________________
Article 14 – Prohibition of discrimination
The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Convention shall be secured
without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political
or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth
or other status.
Article 15 – Derogation in time of emergency
1
In time of war or other public emergency threatening the life of the nation any High
Contracting Party may take measures derogating from its obligations under this Convention
to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation, provided that such measures
are not inconsistent with its other obligations under international law.
2
No derogation from Article 2, except in respect of deaths resulting from lawful acts of war, or
from Articles 3, 4 (paragraph 1) and 7 shall be made under this provision.
3
Any High Contracting Party availing itself of this right of derogation shall keep the Secretary
General of the Council of Europe fully informed of the measures which it has taken and the
reasons therefor. It shall also inform the Secretary General of the Council of Europe when
such measures have ceased to operate and the provisions of the Convention are again
being fully executed.
Article 16 – Restrictions on political activity of aliens
Nothing in Articles 10, 11 and 14 shall be regarded as preventing the High Contracting
Parties from imposing restrictions on the political activity of aliens.
Article 17 – Prohibition of abuse of rights
Nothing in this Convention may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person
any right to engage in any activity or perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the
rights and freedoms set forth herein or at their limitation to a greater extent than is provided
for in the Convention.
Article 18 – Limitation on use of restrictions on rights
The restrictions permitted under this Convention to the said rights and freedoms shall not be
applied for any purpose other than those for which they have been prescribed.
Section II – European Court of Human Rights
Article 19 – Establishment of the Court
To ensure the observance of the engagements undertaken by the High Contracting Parties
in the Convention and the Protocols thereto, there shall be set up a European Court of
Human Rights, hereinafter referred to as "the Court". It shall function on a permanent basis.
Article 20 – Number of judges
The Court shall consist of a number of judges equal to that of the High Contracting Parties.
Article 21 – Criteria for office
1
The judges shall be of high moral character and must either possess the qualifications
required for appointment to high judicial office or be jurisconsults of recognised competence.
5