Sébastien Biancheri has been chosen to represent Monaco at the European Court of Human Rights, marking a new chapter in the Principality’s judicial contributions to Europe.

On 8th April, Sébastien Biancheri, currently the Vice-President of the Court of Appeal in Monaco, was elected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to serve as the Principality’s judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). He succeeds Stéphanie Mourou-Vikström, whose distinguished term came to an end earlier this year.

Biancheri secured a majority of the votes cast by PACE, earning him a nine-year mandate at the Strasbourg-based court. His term will officially begin no later than three months from the date of his election. The appointment is part of Monaco’s commitment to upholding and contributing to the protection of human rights across the continent.

Established in 1959, the European Court of Human Rights serves as the permanent judicial arm of the Council of Europe. It holds the authority to rule on individual and state applications alleging violations of the civil and political rights outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights.

With jurisdiction over 46 member states, the Court safeguards the rights of over 700 million Europeans. Individuals can bring cases against their governments before the ECHR, provided they have exhausted all legal options at the national level. Judges at the Court are elected by PACE from a list of three candidates nominated by each member state.

Sébastien Biancheri’s election ensures that Monaco remains actively engaged in the European legal landscape.

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Photo credit: Hassan Anayi, Unsplash