Article 2 Flashcards
(40 cards)
What is Article 2 ECHR
the right to life
Paragraph 1
No one shall be deprived of their right to life
Except where they are convicted a crime for which deprivation of life is the legal penalty
Paragraph 2
Exceptions
Where force used is no more than necessary, and state is either
1) defending a person from unlawful violence
2) effecting lawful arrest or preventing escape of lawful detainee
3) lawfully quelling a riot
What level of interpretation does this right receive
Strict
Authority for strict interpretation
McCann v UK
How have state obligations under Article 2 developed
Common law
Obligations
1) negative
2) positive
3) procedural
What is the negative duty
State must refrain from using lethal force
Negative duty in reference to capital punishment
Means that states should not use capital punishment
Prohibited by Protocol 13 of the ECHR - even in times of war or national emergency
Requirements of negative obligation
1) adequate legal framework surrounding use of lethal force
2) training and vetting of state agents
Authority and example for legal framework
Giuliani and Gaggio v Italy
Adequate legal framework could include clear guidelines on when to carry a firearm
Authority for vetting
Makaratzis v Greece - man ran red light and was shot at. Insufficient guidelines for Greek police and lack of training. Clear violation of Article 2 as includes near-death situations.
Requirements of a lawful exception to Article 2
Absolutely necessary
One of the three mentioned situations
Proportionate
Authority for proportionality and necessity
McCann
Armani Da Silva v UK
State agent’s honest and genuine belief that lethal force was required can make it necessary, but must be reasonable in circumstances
How does negative duty apply to death in custody
Where individual goes into custody fine but dies in custody - state responsible unless they can give good reason
Authority for deaths in custody
Anguelova v Bulgaria
How does negative duty apply to dissapearances
Presumption of death and state responsibility, unless they can prove otherwise
How does negative duty apply to arrest techniques
If arrest techniques hasten their death, state responsible
What is the positive duty
State must protect the lives of their citizens
Authority for positive duty
LCB v UK
Two requirements of positive duty
1) legal framework that deters unlawful killing
2) reasonable preventative measures where the authorities know or ought to have known of a real and immediate risk to an individual’s life
Authority for framework
Oneryildiz v Turkey
Authority for preventative measures
Osman v UK