Shaping Public Confidence: European Court of Human Rights Judgments and Their Reception in Türkiye

Ahmet Said Aydil is a part of the Cultural and Religious Diversity under State Law across Europe (CUREDI) research group. His research project examines how prominent Turkish cases decided by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) influence public confidence in the Court. The research emphasizes the integral role of public confidence in the effectiveness of the ECtHR. His work delves into the impact of ECtHR judgments on the perception of the Court’s legitimacy in Türkiye, considering the nuanced dynamics between international human rights institutions, legal reasoning, and societal expectations. By focusing on the reception of ECtHR rulings in various public spheres, the project aims to uncover how these decisions shape the Court's legitimacy and influence its ability to uphold human rights standards.

The project employs a multifaceted methodology that includes case law analysis, historical and contextual examination, and empirical research. The analysis of the Court's rulings and reasoning in prominent Turkish cases is central to this research. By comparing these cases with similar legal issues or facts, he aims to identify trends and developments in the ECtHR’s approach over time. This legal analysis is complemented by a review of academic studies and legal commentaries to understand how Turkish legal experts and scholars interpret and assess the Court's decisions.

The empirical component of the research involves interviews with a diverse array of stakeholders in Türkiye, including judges, politicians, legal practitioners, academics, journalists, and civil society representatives. By examining the key expectations of the Turkish public and the tangible consequences of fluctuations in public confidence, the study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ECtHR’s impact on public perception and confidence. This research has the potential to enrich legal scholarship by deepening the understanding of the ECtHR's influence on public confidence, offering practical insights for policymakers and human rights practitioners, and contributing to the broader discourse on the role of international human rights institutions.