The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is an international court based in Strasbourg, France. It was established in 1959 to ensure that countries in the Council of Europe respect the rights and freedoms outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights. Individuals, groups, or states can bring cases to the court if they believe their rights have been violated. The ECHR plays a crucial role in protecting human rights across Europe. Its decisions are binding on the countries that are part of the Council of Europe, which means that these nations must comply with the court's rulings. This helps promote justice and accountability throughout the region.