‘Old Wives’’ win against the Swiss government, explained

In a recent judgment by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the case of Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland, the Court found a violation of Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and Article 6 & 1 (access to court) of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The case involved a complaint by four women and an association, Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz, regarding the Swiss government’s inadequate action to address the effects of climate change. The Court ruled that while the individual applicants did not meet the victim-status criteria, the association had the right to bring a complaint on behalf of those affected by climate change.