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The European Human Rights Convention and Relations between Private Parties

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2009

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The duty or obligation not to infringe constitutionally protected fundamental human rights which have hitherto been owed by state organs towards individuals may now have been extended, in certain countries, to encompass relationships between individuals. This particular development – also referred to as an issue relating to “third parties (Drittwirkung)” or alternatively as one concerning the “horizontal” or “intersubjective” application of fundamental human rights – appears to have its origins in the German doctrine of the so-called “absolute effect of human rights”, whereby fundamental human rights which are defined in constitutions are considered to be enforceable by individuals against other private persons as well as by public authorities.

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Copyright © T.M.C. Asser Press 1979

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References

1. Cf., Khol, A., “The Protection of Human Rights in Relationships between Private Individuals: the Austrian Situation” in René Cassin Amicorum Discipulorumque Liber vol. III (1971) (hereafter vol. Ill, René Cassin), pp. 195213 at p. 198.Google Scholar This legal development was apparently little known outside the German-speaking countries at the time of the Convention's drafting. This probably explains the very widespread use, even outside of the German-speaking countries, of the expression Drittwirkung der Grundrechte. Cf., De Meyer, J., “The Right to Respect for Private and Family Life, Home and Communications in Relations between Individuals, and the resulting Obligations for State Parties to the Convention”, in Privacy and Human Rights (ed. Robertson, A.H., 1973), pp. 255275, at p. 264.Google Scholar

2. Cf., Nipperdey, H.C., “Freie Entfaltung der Persönlichkeit” in vol. IV/2 Die Grundrechte (1962), pp. 742 et seq. at pp. 752753.Google Scholar For a historical account consult: Leisner, W., Grundrecht und Privatrecht (1960), esp. pp. 1112.Google Scholar The above two authors support the theory of the so-called unmittelbare Drittwirkung (direct horizontal effect). The predominant theory, that of mittelbare Drittwirkung (indirect horizontal effect) is supported by Düzig, G. See further on this subject: Dürig, G., “Grundrechte und Zivilrechtssprechung”, in Festschrift für Nawiasky (1956), pp. 157177Google Scholar; Gamillscheg, H., “Die Grundrechte im Arbeitsrecht”, in 164 Archiv für die zivilistische Praxis (1964), pp. 385403Google Scholar; and Schabe, J., Die sogenannte Drittwirkung der Grundrechte (1971).Google Scholar For succinct explanations concerning the basic differences between “public” and “private” law consult: David, R., and Brierley, J.E.C., Major Legal Systems in the World Today (1978), pp. 7486Google Scholar; and Szladitz, Ch., “The Civil Law System”, in II International Encyclopaedia of Comparative Law (“The Legal Systems of the World. Their Comparison and Unification”, editor-in-chief David, R., 1969), pp. 1576.Google Scholar

3. The Lüth case, 7 BVerfGE (1958) pp. 198230.Google Scholar Other cases are cited by Lewan, K.M., “The Significance of Constitutional Rights for Private Law: Theory and Practice in West Germany” in 17 ICLQ (1968) pp. 571601, esp. pp. 579591.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

4. Cf., Khol, A. supra at n. 1. and references therein; Müller, J.P., Die Grundrechte der Verfassung und der Persönlichkeitsschutz des Privatrechts (doctoral dissertation, University of Berne, 1964)Google Scholar; and Saladin, P., Grundrecht im Wandel (1975).Google Scholar

5. Cf., Horan, M.J., “Contemporary Constitutionalism and Legal Relationships between Individuals” in 25 ICLQ (1976), pp. 848867CrossRefGoogle Scholar; Waldock, H., “The Legal Protection of Human Rights – National and International” in An Introduction to the Study of Human Rights (ed. Vallat, F., 1972) pp. 8398Google Scholar; and Dominicé, Ch., Report presented at the Parliamentary Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, 18–20 10 1971 (Council of Europe, 1972) pp. 6474.Google Scholar It appears that the first serious attempt to study this subject on a comparative basis was not made prior to 1969. Cf., vol. III, René Cassin (1971)Google Scholar, esp. Part II (“Protection of Human Rights in Relations between Private Individuals”, pp. 149322).Google Scholar of particular interest are articles by Esen, N. (at p. 163)Google Scholar, Espersen, C. (at p. 177)Google Scholar, Favre, A. (at p. 189)Google Scholar, Khol, A. (at p. 195)Google Scholar, Mitchell, J.D.B. (at p. 235)Google Scholar, Scheuner, U. (at p. 253)Google Scholar, Zanghi, C. (at p. 269)Google Scholar and Rivero, J. (at p. 311).Google Scholar

6. Cf., SirEvans, V., “The Practice of European Countries where Direct Effects is given to the European Convention on Human Rights in Internal Law”. Written communication presented to the Colloquy on Human Rights, Athens 21–22 09 1978Google Scholar, see therein at p. 40. See also Ganshof Van der Meersch, W.J., “La Convention Européenne des Droits de l'Homme a-t-elle, dans le cadre du droit interne, une valeur d'ordre public?” in Les Droit de l'Homme en droit interne et en droit international (1968) pp. 155251.Google Scholar An English summary of this article is reproduced in Human Rights in National and International Law (ed, Robertson, A.H., 1968) 97143.Google Scholar

7. Cf., Nickel-Lanz, C., “Les effets des droits fondamentaux dans les relations entre personnes privées: étude comparative”Google Scholar paper submitted at a “Colloquium on the Protection of Human Rights in the European Community” held under the auspices of the European University Institute, Florence, 14–17 06 1978, esp. pp. 913Google Scholar; and Zanghi, C., “La protection des Droits de l'Homme dans les rapports entre personnes privées (Italie)”. in vol. III René Cassin (1971) pp. 269278.Google Scholar

8. Cf., Drzemczewski, A., “The Domestic Status of the European Convention on Human Rights: New Dimensions” in Legal Issues of European Integration (LIEI) 1977/1981 pp. 185 at pp. 4850.Google Scholar

9. Adamovich, , L., Handbuch des Osterreichischen Verfassungsrechts (1971), passim.Google Scholar

10. Cf., supra n. 8 pp. 55–58.

11. Cf., Starace, V., & de Caro, C., La Giurisprudenza Costituzionale in materia internazionale (1977)Google Scholar, passim. Drzemczewski, A., “The Status of the European Human Rights Convention in the Italian Legal Order” in 4 Human Rights Review (1979, summer issue).Google Scholar

12. Cf., Ganshof van der Meersch, W.J. supra at n. 6.

13. Cf., Scheuner, U., “Fundamental Rights and the Protection of the Individual Against Social Groups and Powers in the Constitutional System of the Federal Republic of Germany”, in vol. III René Cassin (1971) pp. 253268.Google Scholar

14. Horan, M.J. supra n. 5 pp. 866867.Google Scholar A variant of the problem presently under discussion has been developed by the courts in the USA in the so-called “State action” cases. For further comments on this subject consult the article by Horan, M.J., passim; Koopmans, T., “Comparative Analysis and Evaluation”, in Constitutional Protection of Equality (1975, ed. Koopmans, T.,) pp. 213255 at pp. 227230Google Scholar; and Abraham, H., Freedom and the Court (1972), esp. pp. 348367.Google Scholar

15. Article 13 of the Convention reads: “Everyone whose rights and freedoms as set forth in this Convention are violated shall have an effective remedy before a national authority notwithstanding [alors même que] that the violation has been committed by persons acting in an official capacity”. See further on this subject comments made by Mertens, P., op.cit., infra n. 59, passim; and numerous publications of Eissen, M.A., op.cit., infra n. 56.

16. Eissen, M.A., “The European Convention on Human Rights and the Duties of the Individual” in 32 Nordisk Tidsskrift for International Ret (1967) pp. 229253, at p. 237.Google Scholar

17. See n. 58 infra.

18. Mentioned in Collection of decisions of national courts referring to the Convention [on Human Rights] (1969, with Supplements in 1970, 1971, 1973 and 1974), (hereafter Collection), Article 6 p. 32Google Scholar; 7 Ob. 354/1962. For reference to other case-law, consult Moser, B., op.cit., infra n. 21, at pp. 8990.Google Scholar

19. Case No. 186 of 9 December 1975 in Osterreichische Juristen-Zeitung (1976) p. 359 et seq.Google Scholar, extract also reproduced in 20 Yearbook of the European Convention on Human Rights (hereafter: Yearbook) (1977), pp. 678679.Google Scholar

20. Cf., Saxer, A., “Bestand der Grundrechte in Osterreich” pp. 462467Google Scholar, and Rosenzweig, W., “Bedeutung der Grundrechte in Österreich” pp. 467475Google Scholar in 5 Europ¨isch Grundrechte Zeitschrift (EuGRZ) (1978).Google Scholar

21. SirEvans, V., op.cit., supra n. 6 at p. 23.Google Scholar See further on this subject Moser, B., Die Europäische Menschenrechtskonvention und das bürgerliche Recht. Zum Problem der Drittwirkung von Grundrechten (1972), esp. pp. 86124 and 125286.Google Scholar Also consult: Khol, A., op.cit., supra n. 1. [Khol himself considers that the Convention does not bind ‘third parties’ on the international law plane but that it does oblige States to provide for Drittwirkung within their domestic legal systems: see Zwischen Staat und Weltstaat (1969) pp. 309322].Google Scholar

22. Decision of 22 February 1968 Journal des Tribunaux (JT) (1968) p. 387Google Scholar; Collection Article 8 p. 17 bis.Google Scholar

23. Velu, J., “Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights in Belgian Law”, in 18 AJCL (1977) pp. 259292 esp. at pp. 266267.CrossRefGoogle Scholar See also Janssen-Pevtschin, G., Velu, J., and Venwelkenhuyzen, A., “La Convention de sauvegarde des Droits de l'Homme et des libertes fondamentales et le fonctionnement des juridictions beiges”, in IX Chronique de Politique Etrangere (1962) pp. 195246 at p. 225.Google Scholar

24. Decision of 11 October 1973, JT (1973) pp. 80–81.

25. Tribunal de première Instance de Bruxelles, 16 12 1972Google Scholar; Collection, Article 8 p. 28.Google Scholar See also Senelle, R., La constitution beige commentée (1974)Google Scholar, Article 22.

26. Rechtbank of Brussels, 4 April 1973; Collection, Article 4, p. 14.Google Scholar Also consult: Ganshof Van der Meersch, W.J., op.cit., supra n. 6Google Scholar; Ganshof Van der Meersch, W.J., “L'ordre public et les droits de l'homme”, in JT (1968) p. 658Google Scholar et seq.; and Perin, F., Cour de droit constitution nel (Liège, 1977) p. 119.Google Scholar

27. Cf., Nedjati, Z.M., Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1972) pp. 2527.Google Scholar

28. Ibid., at p. 27. Art. 34 of the Cypriot Constitution was modelled upon Art. 17 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

29. Cf., Espersen, O., “Human Rights and Relations between Individuals” in vol. III René Cassin (1971) pp. 177187Google Scholar; and Thygesen, F., “Bestand und Bedeutung der Grundrechte: Danemark” in 5 EuGRZ (1978) pp. 438440.Google Scholar

30. But see comments by Nickel-Lanz, C., op.cit., supra n. 7, pp. 1317Google Scholar; and Rivero, J., “La protection des Droits de l'Homme dans les rapports entre personnes privees”, op.cit., supra n. 5, pp. 311322.Google Scholar For comments on recent case-law consult: Drzemczewski, A., “The European Human Rights Convention and French Law: Recent Developments” in 18 Rivista di Diritto Europeo (1978) pp. 299311.Google Scholar

31. For an analysis of the Drittwirkung theory beyond the ambit of the Convention's application, consult the article by Lewan K.M., op.cit., supra n. 3, and Horan, M.J., op.cit., supra n. 5, passim. See also publications referred to in n. 2; survey of literature provided in Maunz, Th., and Dürig, G., Grundgesetz, KommentatorGoogle Scholar, Note no. 127 to Art. 1 para. 3 of the German Basic Law; and Morvay, W., “Rechtsprechung nationaler Gerichte zur Europaischen Konvention zum Schutze der Menschenrechte und Grundfreiheiten” in 21 ZaöRV (1961) pp. 89112, & pp. 316347, esp. at pp. 317321.Google Scholar

32. 27 Entscheidungen des Bundesgerichtshofes in Zivilsachen (1958) pp. 284291Google Scholar; Collection, Art. 8 p. 3.Google Scholar See also 9 NJW (1956) pp. 384386.Google Scholar

33. 18 NJW (1965) pp. 362364Google Scholar; Collection, Art. 8 p. 12.Google Scholar

34. They apparently form part of the FRG's “value order” (Wertordnung). Cf., Scheuner, U., op.cit., supra n. 13 pp. 253256Google Scholar; and Doehring, K., “Non-discrimination and Equal Treatment under the European Human Rights Convention and the West German Constitution with Particular Reference to Discrimination against Aliens”, in 18 AJCL (1970) pp. 305325, at pp. 317319.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

35. Cf., Zanghi, C, op.cit., supra n. 7. For discussion concerning the application of the Drittwirkung (third party effect) with regard to Italian constitutional norms, consult: Nickel-Lanz, C., op.cit., supra n. 7 pp. 913Google Scholar; Lombardi, G., I, Potere private e diritti fondamentali (1970) pp. 93105Google Scholar; and Barile, P., Il soggetto privato nella constituzione italiana (1953)Google Scholar, passim Note may also be taken of a judgment of the Corte Costituzionale dated 9 06 1970Google Scholar, Case No. 122. in XV Giurisprudenza Costituzionale (1970) p. 1529.Google Scholar

36. Collection, Art. 6 p. 142.Google Scholar

37. Cf., Drzemczewski, A., “The Authority of the Findings of the Organs of the European Human Rights Convention in Domestic Courts”, LIEI 1979/1981 pp. 150 at p. 21.Google Scholar

38. Cf., Drzemczewski, A., op.cit., supra n. 8, at pp. 4647.Google Scholar

39. ‘Law Reports’ are irregularly published in The Times of Malta. E.g.: Case No. 78 (3 02 1969)Google Scholar; Case No. 126 (24 April 1972); and Case No. 176 (8 October 1973). The Maltese reservation to Art. 2 para. 2(a) of the Convention appears to exclude the application of Drittwirkung in certain circumstances, cf.: 9 Yearbook (1966) pp. 2427.Google Scholar

40. Cf., Emde Boas, M.H. van, “The Impact of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms on the Legal Order of the Netherlands” in 13 NILR (1966) pp. 337373CrossRefGoogle Scholar and 14 NILR (1967) pp. 1–13, esp. pp. 352–357. Meuwissen, D.H.M., De Europese Conventie en het Nederlandse Recht (1968) pp. 201211 & pp. 435437Google Scholar and Simons, D., “Bestand und Bedeutung der Grundrechte: Niederlande” in 5 EuGRZ (1978) pp. 450457.Google Scholar

41. SirEvans, V., op.cit., supra n. 6 pp. 8788.Google Scholar

42. Emde Boas, M.J. van, op.cit, supra n. 40, at pp. 355 and 372Google Scholar; Raad, Hoge 25 07 1965Google Scholar, Nederlandse Jurisprudence (1966) No. 115.Google Scholar

43. Emde Boas, M.J. van, ibid., at pp. 355–356. Cf., also Alkema, E.A., op.cit., infra n. 64 at p. 321.Google Scholar In this connection it can be noted that the French courts may also accept such an argument: see case decided by Tribunal Civil de la Seine, 22 01 1947Google Scholar, Recueil Dalloz (1947) pp. 126127.Google Scholar

44. Nederlandse Jurisprudentie (1968), No. 32 p. 94.Google Scholar

45. 19, Nederlands Juristen Blad (1976) p. 642Google Scholar, English summary of the case provided in 20 Yearbook (1977) pp. 776–779.

46. Cf., Drzemczewski, A., op. cit., supra n. 8 and 37, passim.Google Scholar

47. Cf., Drzemczewski, A., op. cit., supra n. 8, at pp. 5558.Google Scholar

48. Cf., Dominicé, C., “La Convention européenne des Droits de l'Homme devant le juge national”, in XXVIII Annuaire Suisse de droit international (1972) pp. 940, at pp. 3739Google Scholar; Trechsel, S., Die Europäische Menschenrechtskonvention, ihr Schutz der persönlichen Freiheit und die schweizerischen Strafprozessrechte (1974) pp. 8288Google Scholar; and Favre, A., op. cit., supra n. 19 pp. 189193.Google Scholar See also Wildhaber, L., “Reflexions sur la discrimination raciale, l'égalité devant la loi et la “Drittwirkung” en droit suisse”, in IV Revue des Droits de l'Homme/Human Rights Journal (RDH/HRJ) (1971) pp. 341349Google Scholar; and Müller, G., “Die Drittwirkung der Grundrecht. Überblick über den Stand der Diskussion in Lehre und Rechtsprechung”, in Schweizerisches Zentralblatt für Staats- und Gemeindeverwaltung (1978) pp. 233244.Google Scholar

49. SirEvans, V., op. cit., supra n. 6 pp. 111112.Google Scholar See also publications referred to in n. 4.

50. Cf., Kaufmann, O.K., “Bestand und Bedeutung der Grundrechte: Schweiz” in 5 EuGRZ (1978) pp. 475483.Google Scholar Note should also be taken of case-law relating to Arts. 27 and 28 of the Swiss Civil Code. Cf., Nickel-Lanz, C., op. cit, supra n. 7 pp. 69.Google Scholar

51. Cf., Esen, B.N., op. cit., supra n. 5 pp. 163176.Google Scholar

52. Cf., Drzemczewski, A., “The Implementation of the UK's Obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights: Recent Developments”, in XII Revue des Droits de L'Homme/Human Rights Journal (1979), esp. Part I, 3.Google Scholar

53. Blathwayt v. Lord Cawley & others [1975] 3 All ER 625 at p. 636.Google Scholar On this subject consult further Brook-Taylor, J.D.A., “Racial and Religious Restrictive Covenants” in The Conveyancer and Property Lawyer (1978) pp. 2426.Google Scholar See also Jaconelli, J., “The European Convention on Human Rights: The Text of a British Bill of Rights?” in Public Law (1976) pp. 226255, esp. pp. 249–50 & 253Google Scholar; and Mitchell, J.D.B., op. cit., supra n. 5 pp. 235246.Google Scholar

54. Cf., Council of Europe Doc. H (70) 7 of September 1970: “Problems arising from the co-existence of the UN Covenants on Human Rights of the European Convention on Human Rights” p. 15.Google Scholar See also UN Doc. 2929, reproduced in ORGA 10th Session (1955). Annexes, agenda item 28 Part. III. This subject may be linked with the wider concept of the validity ergo omnes of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Cf., De Meyer, J., op. cit., supra n. 1, at p. 271.Google Scholar See also interesting article by McCarthy, T.E., “Transnationals Corporations and Human Rights” in Summary of Lectures of the 10th Study Session of the International Institute of Human Rights (Strasbourg, 07 1979), esp. pp. 2224.Google Scholar Reference can also be made to the Barcelona Traction case, Judgment ICJ Rep. 1970 p. 32 paras. 32/33, and the Namibia case Advisory Opinion, ICJ Rep. 1971 p. 45, para. 131.Google Scholar Developments in the European Community may also be noted. Cf., “Conclusions” of Waelbroeck, M., in Les recours des individus devant les instances nationales en cas de violation du droit européen (1978) pp. 299302 at p. 301.Google Scholar (Case No. 36/74 [1974] ECR 1405); and Easson, A.J., “Can Directives Impose Obligations on Individuals?” in 4 EurLRev (1979) pp. 6779.Google Scholar

55. Cf., Human Rights. A Compilation of International Instruments (United Nations, 1978) pp. 3 and 8.Google Scholar Article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights reads “Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant …”.

56. Cf., Eissen, M.A., “The European Convention on Human Rights and the Duties of the Individual” in 32 Nordisk Tidsskrift for international Ret (1962) pp. 230253Google Scholar; Eissen, M.A., “La Convention européenne des Droits de l'Homme et les obligations de l'individu: un mis à jour” in vol. III René Cassin (1971) pp. 151162Google Scholar, passim; and Hahne, M.M., Das Drittwirkung in der Europäischen (Convention zum Schutz der Menschenrecht und Grundfreiheiten (doctoral dissertation, Heidelberg, 1973).Google Scholar In this context note may also be taken of Art. 32 of the 1969 American Convention on Human Rights (in force since July 1978). Cf., UN Yearbook on Human Rights (1969) pp. 390400, at pp. 394395.Google Scholar

57. Cf., Oral presentation of the Swedish Government's agent, Danelius, H., in Eur. Court, H.R., Series B. No. 18 (1974/1975) Swedish Engine Drivers' Union case pp. 151153.Google Scholar Also consult comments made by Fawcett, J.E.S., at p. 124.Google Scholar In the Matznetter case Eur. Court, H.R., Series B. No. 7 (1969)Google Scholar, the Austrian Government's agent, Pahr, W., was of a more conservative leaning, see p. 228.Google Scholar

58. Emphasis added by the author. See also Williams, A.M., “The European Convention on Human Rights: A New Use?” in 12 Texas JIL (1977) pp. 279292.Google Scholar

59. Emphasis added by the author. Cf., Eissen, M.A., op. cit., supra n. 16 at p. 244Google Scholar; Sperduti, G., “Nouvelles perspectives des Droits de l'Homme” in IX RDH/HRJ (1976) pp. 575576Google Scholar; Privacy and Human Rights (Ed. Robertson, A.H., 1973)Google Scholar, esp. articles by Velu, J., esp. pp. 2025Google Scholar, De Meyer, J., pp. 255275Google Scholar, and Partsch, K.J., pp. 275282Google Scholar; Mertens, P., Le droit de recours effectif devant les instances nationales en cas de violation d'un Droit de l'Homme (1973) pp. 103109.Google Scholar Castberg, F., The European Convention on Human Rights (1973), notes on pp. 1213Google Scholar, that “[T]he argument based on Art. 13 of the Convention is somewhat stronger [than Article 17]. Here it is stipulated that anyone whose rights and freedoms under the Convention have been violated, shall have an effective remedy ‘notwithstanding that the violation has been committed by a person acting in an official capacity’ and it seems to be assumed that public officials can violate the Convention, even when acting as private persons. Should we not conclude that violations can be committed by any private person and not only public officials acting off duty? However, the wording of this provision is strange in several ways. For instance, it is peculiar that the tight to a remedy is subject to a violation having taken place – thus an allegation of a violation does not suffice. The vague assumption of possible violations of the Convention by private persons seems to be too weak as a basis for reading into the Convention a general and direct obligation for private individuals to comply with it”.

60. Cf., supra n. 56. Also consult: Golsong, H., “La Convention européenne des Droits de l'Homme et les personnes morales” pp. 1533Google Scholar, and Marcus-Helmons, S., “Les personnes morales et le droit international” pp. 3581, esp. pp. 6873Google Scholar, in Les Droits de l'Homme et les personnes morales (First colloquy of the Human Rights Dept. of the Catholic University of Louvain, 1970).Google Scholar

61. Cf., Sørensen, M., “Do the Rights set forth in the European Convention on Human Rights in 1950 have the same significance in 1975?” in Proceedings of the Fourth International Colloquy about the European Convention on Human Rights, Rome, 58 11 1975 (Council of Europe, 1976) pp. 83109Google Scholar, esp. Part III “Duties of Individuals” at pp. 104105.Google Scholar

62. Eur. Court, H.R. Series B., No. 17 (19741975), at p. 48Google Scholar, para. 59. (Emphasis added). See also Commission's Report in the Swedish Engine Drivers' Union case supra n. 57 at p. 41Google Scholar, para. 62. As to earlier case-law consult Jacobs, F.G., The European Convention on Human Rights (1975) pp. 101 and 227Google Scholar, Eissen, M.A., op. cit., supra n. 56, esp. pp. 158159.Google Scholar

63. Application No. 5178/71; Committee of Ministers Resolution DH(77)I, in 20 Yearbook (1977) pp. 640642.Google Scholar (Emphasis added). See also Commission's comments in the case of the Association of Parents of Vaccine Damaged Children v. UK., Application No. 7154/75 declared inadmissible on 12 July 1978, at p. 9.

64. Cf., Eissen, M.A., oral intervention in Grundrechtsschutz in Europa. Europäischen Menschenrechts-Konvention und Europäische Gemeinschaften. Heidelberg, 2830 10 1976 (eds. Mosler, H., Bernhardt, R., and Hilf, M., 1977), at pp. 4142Google Scholar; and Alkema, E.A., “The European Convention of Human Rights and the Netherlands Legal Order” in 23 NILR (1976), pp. 317–228 at p. 321.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

65. Eur. Court, H.R., Swedish Engine Drivers' Union case, judgment on 6 03 1976Google Scholar, Series A, Vol 20 at p. 14 para. 37. See also Schmidt and Dahhtrom case, judgment of 6 02 1976Google Scholar, Series A. Vol. 21 at p. 15, para. 33. See also comments by members of the European Commission of Human Rights in the Commission's Report in the König case (adopted on 14 12 1976) pp. 2752.Google Scholar

66. Cf., X v FRG, Application No. 6699/74; and Van Oosterwijk v. Belgium, Application No. 7654/76, in vol. D & R pp. 16–35, and 194–208.

67. In his memorial (Doc. Cour(78)2, of 27 January 1978), before the European Court of Human Rights, Mr. Sperduti considered that an: ‘“inherent right’ must be understood as meaning a right which, because it constitutes the logically indispensable premise for, or the inevitable consequence of, the rules laid down, is so necessary in a rule-making context that it does not need to be expressly stated before it can be regarded as part of the system”. See also X v. Belgium, Application No. 4072/69 in 32 Collection pp. 8086 at p. 86.Google Scholar (also reproduced in 13 Yearbook (1970) pp. 708721 at p. 718).Google Scholar

68. Young & James v. UK, Application No. 7601/76, declared admissible by the Commission on 11 July 1977. Would it make a difference if the ‘closed shop’ agreement were entered into by a trade union and a private institution? Cf., Daintith, T.C., “Methods and Scope of Protection of Fundamental Rights against Public and Private Bodies in Great Britain”, in Les Droits de l'Homme et les personnes morales, op. cit., supra n. 60 pp. 123132.Google Scholar

69. But see articles by Velu, J., pp. 35138Google Scholar; De Meyer, J., pp. 363386Google Scholar; Loebenstein, M.E. pp. 349358Google Scholar & pp. 394–399; and Vanwelkenhuyzen, M.A., pp. 400407Google Scholar, in Vie Privée et Droits de l'Homme (Centre Universitaire de droit public, 1973). For English translations of the articles by Velu, J., and De Meyer, J., consult Privacy and Human RightsGoogle Scholar supra n. 59. Also consult Guradze, H., Die Europäische Menschenrechtskonvention (1968) pp. 2023.Google Scholar

70. “La Convention européenne des Droits de l'Homme et les obligations de l'individu: un mis a jour”, in vol. III René Cassin (1971) pp. 151162 at p. 162.Google Scholar

71. Cf., Mosler, H., “L'influence du droit national sui la Convention euiopéenne des Droits de l'Homme”, in vol. I Miscellanea W.J. Ganshof van der Meersch (1972) pp. 521543.Google Scholar See also Strebe, H., “Einwirkungen nationalen Rechts auf des Völkerrecht”Google Scholar, [Municipal Law Influences upon international law] in Völkerrecht als Rechtsordnung – Grundlagen und Quellen, in 36 ZaÖRV (1976) pp. 168189Google Scholar: and recent dicta in the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of König (28 06 1978)Google Scholar para. 89; and Engel and others (8 06/23 November 1976), para. 82.Google Scholar