HomeProfessional Human Rights Lawyers: Protecting Your Fundamental Freedoms
Every person has the right to life, liberty, a fair trial, protection from abuse of power, torture, discrimination, and unlawful interference with the right to privacy. However, in practice, these human rights are often violated by state authorities, security services, or in politically motivated cases.
In such situations, you need the assistance of experienced human rights defenders who are deeply knowledgeable in international human rights law and capable of acting quickly and effectively is critically important. Our team of human rights lawyers works with clients both in national courts and at the international level, including the European Court of Human Rights, the UN Human Rights Committee, and other international organizations.
We have successfully overturned unjust court decisions, restored violated rights, and obtained compensation.
What Are Human Rights and How Are They Protected
Human rights are freedoms and basic guarantees that belong to every person from birth, regardless of citizenship, gender, race, religion, political beliefs, or social status. These rights are considered universal. They cannot be divided or transferred, and their protection is the responsibility of every state that has signed international human rights agreements.
Understanding the essence of human rights and the mechanisms for their protection is crucial, particularly in cases of violations, oppression, conflicts, or abuse of power by state authorities.
Here’s an overview of the human rights system, the documents that form its foundation, and ways to protect your rights in the event of violations.
Human rights cover various types of freedoms, which can be divided into civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. The main rights include:
- Right to life and personal security
- Freedom from torture and inhuman treatment
- Right to a fair trial
- Freedom of expression, religion, and beliefs
- Freedom of movement and choice of residence
- Right to privacy and personal data protection
- Right to participate in the governance of the country
- Right to education, healthcare, work, and social security
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly and is considered the first universal document defining basic rights and freedoms. Although it doesn’t have direct legal force, it serves as the basis for many countries’ constitutions and other international human rights instruments.
For European Union countries, an important legal document is the European Convention on Human Rights, adopted by the Council of Europe in 1950 and having binding legal force. It allows citizens to appeal to the European Human Rights Court if the national system does not ensure justice.
At the national level, human rights protection in Thailand is carried out through courts, the prosecution, investigative bodies, the Human Rights Commissioner, the National Human Rights Commission, and other state authorities. If national protection is insufficient or exhausted, a person may file a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights, the UN Human Rights Committee, special mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council, international NGOs, and global human rights organizations.
Types of Cases Handled by Human Rights Lawyers
Human rights lawyers are legal professionals who protect the fundamental freedoms of individuals from violations by state authorities, security services, the judicial system, or other persons. Below are the main categories of cases handled by such lawyers:
- Cases of torture or inhuman and degrading treatment
Protection from torture is a key principle of international human rights law. Law firms help gather evidence of torture in police stations, prisons, or psychiatric institutions, file complaints with the prosecutor, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), or the UN Committee Against Torture, demand compensation, and prosecute the perpetrators. - Illegal detention and custody
Restriction of freedom must have legal grounds and be overseen by the court. If a person is detained without a warrant, the detention period is exceeded, or relatives/lawyers are not notified, your legal counsel can use Article 5 of the ECHR to restore justice and obtain compensation. - Restriction of freedom of expression
These human rights issues include persecution for criticizing the government, participating in protests, publishing in media or social networks, website or account blocking, fines, dismissal, or arrest for a public position. A lawyer can file an appeal in a national court or contact international bodies for violations of Article 10 of the ECHR. - Persecution for political beliefs
Politically motivated court proceedings or threats to opposition members are considered violations of international obligations. A human rights lawyer helps you develop a defense strategy, prove political persecution, and submit complaints to the European Court of Human Rights or the UN requesting urgent measures. - Discrimination
Human rights violations can be based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, citizenship, or political views. A human rights lawyer collects evidence of denial in employment, education, or public services and files a lawsuit in a national court or ECHR under Article 14. - Cases related to refugees and migrants
Stateless persons or those without legal status often become victims of abuse of power. A lawyer assists in cases of illegal detention at the border, unjustified denial of asylum, life-threatening deportation, or violations in immigrant detention centers. - Human rights violations in prisons
Prisons are often places of torture, abuse, medical negligence, poor hygiene, limited access to food, medicine, communication with family, or lawyers. Human rights defenders can visit detainees, gather evidence of violations, file complaints with the prosecutor, the Human Rights Commission, or appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR): A Key Protection Mechanism
The European Court of Human Rights is an international judicial body established in 1950 to monitor the compliance of member states with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Located in Strasbourg, it is one of the leading bodies for human rights protection in Europe. For many citizens, the ECHR has become the last hope in the fight against arbitrariness, unfair trials, censorship, torture, discrimination, and other violations.
A complaint to the ECHR can be submitted by:
- Any individual, regardless of citizenship or residence;
- Legal entities (companies, non-profit organizations) registered in countries that are parties to the Convention;
- A group of individuals whose collective rights have been violated;
- A state against another state, in special cases.
Key conditions: The state whose actions are being challenged must be a party to the ECHR. Complaints must be submitted within 4 months of the final decision of the national court (Supreme or Constitutional). Otherwise, the complaint is automatically rejected.
Main criteria for acceptance for consideration:
- Exhaustion of all domestic remedies: the applicant must have used all available human rights laws in their country;
- Specificity of the complaint: abstract or hypothetical complaints cannot be filed;
- Significance of the violation: the complaint must not be “manifestly ill-founded” or “insignificant”;
- Compliance with the form: the complaint must be drafted in strict form in one of the Court’s official languages (English or French).
Although having a human rights lawyer when submitting a complaint to the ECHR is not mandatory, a well-prepared complaint with legal justification significantly increases the chances of success. A qualified human rights lawyer performs the following actions:
- Preparation of the complaint: analysis of case trends, collection and systematization of evidence, document translation, preparation of the complaint form, formulation of key legal arguments;
- Interaction with the court: response to ECHR requests, clarification of the applicant’s position, submission of documents, facts, and additional arguments, communication with the secretariat, and compliance with deadlines;
- Oral hearing: if an oral session is scheduled, the lawyer represents the client in Strasbourg, presents the legal position, and answers judges’ questions.
The ECHR receives tens of thousands of complaints annually, and only about 5% are accepted for consideration. The main reasons for rejection include incorrectly completed documents, failure to exhaust all domestic remedies, and unfounded or duplicate complaints. Therefore, preparation and legal support are critically important.
Our advocacy team has experience handling ECHR cases from legal trend analysis to preparing complete document packages, supporting interaction with the court, representing clients at oral hearings in Strasbourg, monitoring decision implementation, and recovering compensation. We help achieve justice at the international level.
International Organizations and the UN on Human Rights
Human rights issues in Thailand are primarily addressed by the National Human Rights Commission. But when domestic legal mechanisms are exhausted, victims can seek assistance from international structures. Organizations within the UN human rights system play a key role, providing citizens the opportunity to demand:
- Human Rights Committee (HRC)
This is a treaty body of the United Nations responsible for monitoring compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Its main functions include reviewing individual complaints from countries recognizing the Committee’s jurisdiction, reviewing national reports submitted by states, and publishing general comments that shape the Committee’s legal position. Complaints may be filed in case of violations such as the right to life, freedom of expression and religion, freedom from arbitrary arrest, the right to a fair trial, and equality before the law. - Committee Against Torture (CAT)
This body is responsible for overseeing compliance with the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 1984. CAT’s main functions include reviewing complaints of torture or threats of torture, investigating incidents, and inspecting detention facilities and conditions.
A complaint can be filed if you or a relative who has experienced physical or psychological abuse by authorities, torture in prison, detention centers, or other places of custody, as well as mistreatment during extradition or deportation. - UN Human Rights Council
A political body established in 2006 to replace the former Commission on Human Rights, consisting of representatives from 47 UN member states. Its responsibilities include reviewing systemic human rights violations in various countries, conducting the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), periodic assessment of the human rights situation in each country, and creating international investigative committees.
You can provide information on systemic human rights violations in your country, such as suppression of peaceful assemblies, political repression, and war crimes, as well as submit information during the UPR or participate in human rights conferences. - Special Rapporteurs
Independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to examine specific issues or situations in particular countries. Their main duties include collecting and verifying information on human rights violations, visiting countries, preparing reports, and sending urgent appeals or letters with findings to the relevant governments.
Special Rapporteurs can be contacted when state officials are indifferent to obvious violations, threats to life or freedom, deportation, torture, censorship, or when immediate international assistance is required.
When Should You Contact a Human Rights Lawyer?
When facing legal actions that violate your fundamental rights by Thailand’s legal authorities, contact a human rights lawyer immediately. Whether you’re fighting arbitrary arrest without a warrant, illegal surveillance, or police abuse, your human rights lawyer can help you assess the legality of these actions. A lawyer will also help you initiate complaint procedures and document violations for further protection at the national and international levels.
If a criminal case, administrative prosecution, or state pressure is related to your political position, participation in opposition movements, publishing information in media or social networks, or participating in protests, this may indicate politically motivated persecution. In this case, a lawyer will prepare documents confirming the political aspect of the case, develop a legal position, and try to halt the process or prevent extradition/deportation.
If a court in your country refuses to consider the case seriously, issues decisions under pressure, shows signs of bias or conflict of interest, it signals the need to prepare a complaint to international organizations, especially the European Court of Human Rights or UN committees. A lawyer will assess the chances of a complaint, help gather evidence, and ensure compliance with all requirements for case acceptance.
International organizations accept complaints only under strict conditions, such as deadlines, document formatting, and exhaustion of domestic remedies. An experienced lawyer will ensure proper classification of violations and prepare a complaint in a way that prevents it from being rejected on formal grounds.
In human rights cases, time is critical. Missing deadlines for filing a complaint to the ECHR or UN committees cannot be restored. Failure to document violations significantly complicates proof of facts later. Lack of legal representation at the initial stage often leads to serious defense errors, and delays in submission to international bodies can result in extradition, deportation, or conviction.
How We Can Help: Human Rights Specialists
Our team includes practicing lawyers with experience handling cases in international human rights organizations. Clients often contact us when national judges refuse to accept complaints, ignore procedural violations, or overlook politically motivated facts.
Our lawyers document human rights violations, prepare complaints in accordance with international organization procedures, maintain communication, and help clients win cases. We are familiar with complaint procedures at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), know how to build defense strategies in accordance with UN committee practices, and understand how to quickly contact Special Rapporteurs in cases of threats of extradition, torture, or arbitrary detention.
Our experience includes successful cases against states for violations of the right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, protection from torture, and inhuman treatment. We have helped:
- Remove Interpol Red Notices in political cases;
- Suspend extradition using urgent measures of the UN committees against torture;
- Obtain compensation under ECHR decisions recognizing violations of Articles 3, 5, 6, and 10 of the Convention.
Working with international organizations requires in-depth legal knowledge, skills in managing documents in English and French, the ability to build legal arguments based on ECHR and UN practice, communication with institutions considering procedural standards, and understanding the political and legal context, especially in cases with political or humanitarian components.
Contact us for an initial consultation and development of an effective cooperation strategy. With practical experience in the international human rights field, we are ready to support clients in any complex situation with professionalism, understanding, and strict adherence to legal standards.
FAQs
When Can I File a Complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)?
You can only apply to the European Court of Human Rights after exhausting all available domestic remedies. Usually, this means you must obtain a final decision from the Supreme or Constitutional Court. The application must be submitted within four months of receiving this decision. Delays in filing or failure to use domestic remedies are the main reasons for application rejection.
How Long Does it Take to Consider a Request at the ECHR?
The timeframe depends on the complexity of the case and the volume of cases considered by the court. It can take from one to five years. Initially, the request may be rejected within a few months. If accepted, the court sends it to the state body for clarification and begins substantive proceedings. In some cases, such as threats to life, deportation, or torture, the court may take accelerated measures.
What Should I Do if a National Court Rejected My Request?
If your case has already been considered by all instances of national courts, but the decision violates your fundamental rights, you have the right to file a claim with an international organization. A human rights lawyer will help analyze the court decision, prepare a claim to the European Court of Human Rights or the UN committee, gather evidence, and prepare the necessary documentation. The sooner you start preparation, the higher your chances of success.
Can I File a Complaint with the United Nations?
Yes, under certain conditions. There are UN bodies such as the Human Rights Committee, Committee Against Torture, Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, etc. You can file a petition if your country recognizes the jurisdiction of this body and the petition concerns a violation of an international convention or agreement. A lawyer will help determine which body has jurisdiction and prepare the petition according to procedural requirements.
