For the first time since the start of the pandemic it was possible for 22 students to go on an excursion to Strasbourg last week. They had the privilege of visiting the ECtHR and discussing the inner workings of the Court with one of the staff members of the Austrian division in the Grant Chamber room. They also visited the Palais d'Europe, where the Council of Europe has its headquarters. There they had highly interesting discussions with an employee about the future of the Council of Europe and what impact the exclusion of Russia will have on it.
Although it is not part of the Council of Europe, but of the European Union, but since it is a must to visit the European Parliament when staying in Strasbourg, the group also took a tour of the so-called Luise Weiss building.
In addition to the visits to the European Institutions, the students had the unique opportunity to hear from people around the ECtHR. Thus, Daria Pistriak, former employee of the Court concerning the execution of judgements in the Ukraine, held a speech about the Russian invasion in the Ukraine, her flight from Kiev and the consequences of Russia's exclusion for populations of both countries. There was also a lively and enriching presentation on domestic violence and violence against women by Sabrina Wittmann, an Austrian lawyer working for the Istanbul Convention. Afterwards, Greek lawyer Ioulietta Bisiouli introduced the students to the execusion of ECtHR judgments. This crucial work of the Council of Europe ensures the real effectiveness of the judgments and thus the protection of Human Rights in all 46 member states. Afterwards, the Austrian judge Franziska Steinbichler presented four cases against Austria that have been dealt with by the ECtHR or are still pending judgement. After all these exciting contributions, there were lively discussion between students and speakers.
The excursion was a great success and should be continued in the future to give interested and committed students the opportunity of a first-hand experience of the most important system of Human Rights protection in Europe.