Which Countries Have Left The Echr

Let’s talk about the European Court of Human Rights. It’s the big, serious referee of human rights in Europe. But here’s the juicy bit: some countries have actually quit. Yes, they stormed out of the courtroom and slammed the door.

Why is this fun? Because it’s a rare, dramatic breakup. Think of it as a messy divorce, but with treaties and angry lawyers. Ready for the tea? Let’s dive in.

The Lone Wolf: Russia

First up, the elephant in the room: Russia. After invading Ukraine in 2022, Russia got the boot. Sort of. They were expelled from the Council of Europe, which is the ECHR’s parent club.

But wait, they actually quit first. In March 2022, Russia announced it was leaving. It was a preemptive “you can’t fire me, I quit!” moment. By September 2022, the exit was official. Poof. Gone.

Here’s the quirky part: Russia had already lost thousands of cases at the ECHR. They owed millions in compensation. Leaving saved them a massive bill. Talk about a strategic exit.

The First One Out: Greece

Think leaving the ECHR is a new thing? Nope. Greece was the original rebel. It happened back in 1969, during a nasty military dictatorship called the “Regime of the Colonels.”

They didn’t want outsiders judging their human rights record. So they pulled the ripcord. It was the first and only time a country left on purpose until Russia came along.

Fun fact: Greece rejoined in 1974 after democracy returned. It was a classic “I made a mistake, take me back” story. The ECHR forgave them. Aww.

The Accidental Exits: UK and Beyond

Here’s where it gets tricky. The United Kingdom has never actually left the ECHR. But it’s a constant drama. Politicians keep threatening to quit. It’s like a bad breakup threat every other year.

“We’ll leave Strasbourg!” they shout. But they never do. It’s the ultimate tease. The ECHR has overruled UK courts on prisoner voting and deportations. Angry headlines follow. Yet, Britain stays.

What about other countries? Well, none have left permanently. Once you’re in the ECHR system, you’re mostly stuck. It’s like hotel California for human rights. You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave. (Legally, you can, but it’s a nightmare.)

Why It’s So Rare to Leave

Let’s get nerdy for a sec. The ECHR is part of the Council of Europe, not the EU. That’s a huge difference. Leaving the Council of Europe is like quitting a club for all European democracies.

If you leave, you lose your seat at the table. No voting. No influence. And your citizens lose the right to sue you in an international court. It’s a terrible look for any democracy.

Only Russia and Greece have done it. Two countries, in over 70 years. That’s it. Most nations prefer to grumble and stay. It’s easier to complain about the referee than to leave the game entirely.

The Quirky Case of “Leaving” in Name

Here’s a weird fact: Belarus is the only European country that was never a member. They never joined the Council of Europe. So they can’t “leave” the ECHR. They were never in it. Rogue from the start.

And Kosovo? Not a member yet. They want to join, but some countries don’t recognize them. So they’re stuck in a weird waiting room. No exit required if you never got in.

Also, the Vatican City is not a member. God doesn’t need human rights judges, I guess. Look it up. Hilarious.

The Big Takeaway

So, how many countries have left the ECHR? Two. Russia and Greece. That’s it. A tiny, exclusive club of quitters.

Everyone else is still in the room, arguing loudly. The UK threatens. Turkey complains. Hungary moans. But they all pay their dues and keep showing up. It’s like a soap opera with better suits.

Why does this matter? Because the ECHR is one of the few forces that can tell a government “no.” It’s annoying, slow, and bureaucratic. But it’s ours. Leaving it is a big, scary leap into the dark.

Fun Tidbits to Impress Your Friends

Did you know the ECHR is in Strasbourg, France? The building has a giant, weird metal skeleton on top. It looks like a Transformer. Seriously, Google it.

Also, the court’s judges wear no wigs. No robes. Just suits. It’s shockingly normal. Very different from the British Supreme Court, which looks like a Harry Potter set.

Final quirky fact: The ECHR has handled over 700,000 cases since it started. Russia alone accounted for 25% of all cases. So, their exit was like a student dropping out of a class they hated. Good riddance to the homework pile.

Now you know the secrets. Two countries left. One was a dictator. One was a dictator, too. Coincidence? Probably not. Next time your friend rages about “human rights courts,” you can casually drop: “Only Russia and Greece actually left. And Greece came back.” Boom. Conversation won.

Stay curious. Keep asking who’s in and who’s out. The ECHR may be boring on paper, but its history is wild. And now, you’re in on the joke.