On March 27 the Young Defense Lawyers’ Council held a round table discussion entitled “International mechanisms of human rights protection: European Court standards under torture cases”. Dmitry Utukin, Head of CAT Public Investigation Department, shared his experience with young lawyers.

Mr. Utukin opened the discussion by speaking about the procedure of applying to the ECtHR and effective investigation standards adopted by this judicial body. He demonstrated the strategy of using ECtHR case law in domestic litigations on the basis of cases won at the ECtHR and listed ECtHR criteria for assessing domestic investigations.

“Legal counsels should make strategic use of the European Convention – this is not only an additional instrument of human rights protection under a specific case, it should also be used to raise awareness and promote skills of judicial bodies in applying international human rights guarantees”, CAT Public Investigation Department Head said while delivering his report, he also expressed hope that such meeting  would take place on a regular basis and it would contribute to the improvement of legal aid quality in the region.