This Handbook deals with the right to life, as guaranteed by Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR or “the Convention”), and with the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights (“the Court”) under that article.  Cases relating to one issue are furthermore often brought under a variety of articles – as we shall note

with regard to abortion and suicide in particular – and in such instances, the Court’s approach can only be understood by reference to its rulings on all the articles involved.

Also important is the fact that the Convention usually does not impose rigid requirements on States.

© Council of Europe, 2006