The human rights of victims of domestic violence: Opuz v Turkey [2010] CFLQ 131

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has acknowledged that the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 1950 (ECHR) applies to victims of crime as well as defendants. States may be in breach of their obligations under the ECHR if they fail to provide adequate protection to victims from the criminal acts of third parties. The implications of this for victims of domestic violence were considered by the ECtHR in Opuz v Turkey. This commentary analyses the decision and the potential implications for Member States in terms of developing their policies and practices in responding to domestic violence through the criminal justice system.