The scientific event for the launch of the 3rd edition of the collective volume “ECHR: Article-by-article Commentary,” edited by Professor Linos-Alexander Sicilianos, President of the MFHR, was held yesterday in the ‘Harris Karatzas’ room at the Nomiki Vivliothiki premises. The event attracted a large audience.

The evening began with an opening speech by the Head of the Publishing House, Mrs. Lila Karatza, who acknowledged all the authors and collaborators from the Nomiki Vivliothiki Publishing House who contributed to the publication of the volume.

Following her introduction, the Dean of the School of Law at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Konstantinos Christodoulou, addressed the attendees, highlighting the importance of the project.

The moderator, President of the Legal Council of the State, Mrs. Niki Marioli, stressed the Council’s contribution to the country’s compliance with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and introduced the speakers.

The President of the Hellenic Council of State, Professor Michalis Pikramenos, provided comparative data from other jurisdictions, supporting the position that the drastic reduction of the time of adjudication of cases by the Council of State requires a large increase in support staff as well as a strong filtering process.

Professor Spyros Vlahopoulos highlighted the impact of the ECHR on the domestic legal order, including the Constitution.

Professor Emeritus Nikos Alivizatos emphasized the evolutive interpretation of the ECHR by the European Court of Human Rights and the Greek Constitution. 

Mr Thomas Kamenopoulos, lawyer and member of the Board of Directors of the Athens Bar Association, presented the contribution of Dimitris Vervesos, the President of the Athens Bar Association, who was unable to attend due to an urgent official commitment. Mr Kamenopoulos focused on the long-standing issues within the Greek justice system, as highlighted by the case law of the ECtHR.

Lastly, Professor Linos-Alexander Sicilianos expressed gratitude to the contributors of the volume, the speakers at the event, the publishing house (Nomiki Vivliothiki), and especially the MFHR for its extensive support to the undertaking.

For those who were not able to attend the event in person, the video is available here.