The European Convention on Human Rights

There is a lot of misinformation going around social media and even the main media about the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), implying it came out of the European Union and imposed upon the UK. This is untrue, so we thought we would provide you our readers with the facts, so you can make up your own mind as to whether or not it is a good thing.
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), often referred to as the European Bill of Human Rights, was drawn up by the Council of Europe, with British lawyer Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe playing a key leading role in its drafting.
The convention built on the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and was a result of a collaboration between members of the Council of Europe. It came into force in 1953.
Key Individuals and Organisations:
Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe: A British MP and lawyer, he was a key figure in drafting the ECHR.
Council of Europe: An International organisation with the goal of upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. It was founded after the Second World War in 1949, its members were responsible for drafting the ECHR to protect human rights. You can view the 46 European members via this website: https://www.coe.int/en/web/about-us/our-member-states
Winston Churchill: The ECHR proposal was originally put forth by Winston Churchill.
Other British Figures: Lord Layton and other UK representatives also played significant roles in shaping the Convention.
Purpose and Creation:
Post-WWII Context: The ECHR was created to prevent future atrocities and to establish a legal framework to safeguard fundamental rights after World War II and the Holocaust.
Basis in the Universal Declaration: The ECHR’s principles were based on the earlier United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Strasbourg: The drafting of the ECHR took place in Strasbourg during the summer of 1949.
Key Features:
Binding Treaty: The ECHR is an international treaty that member states of the Council of Europe are bound to. It is a separate body to the European Union (EU), although any European country wishing to join the EU has to be a member of the Council of Europe first.
Protects Citizens: It protects the human rights of all individuals within the jurisdiction of signatory states.
Came into Force in 1953: The convention formally became effective on September 3, 1953.
So basically, it was a British idea, not something imposed upon us by the EU!
It actually protects us all as individuals. If there is a flaw with its use, then that needs to be addressed, not getting rid of the whole Convention.