Law School celebrates founding of European Convention on Human Rights

Legal experts at LJMU will contribute this weekend to a celebration of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The ECHR is an international treaty that protects human rights and fundamental freedoms and was created in response to the atrocities of the Second World War and guarantees rights like the right to life, freedom of expression, and protection from torture. 

Among its architects was Liverpool MP David Maxwell Fyfe and many, including Children’s Laureate Frank Cotterell-Boyce, thus describe Liverpool as the birthplace of the Convention.

This Saturday 1st November the Museum of Liverpool will celebrate the 75th anniversary with music and stories telling how Liverpool is its birthplace and how the protections of the Convention are applied throughout our city every day.

'Never again!'

The music is inspired by Fyfe – lead prosecutor at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials and his resolution that these would never be allowed to happen again.

To illustrate the continuing relevance of the ECHR in the lives of people in Liverpool and beyond today, LJMU's Living Library of human 'books' will be at the Museum.

The Living Library draws on LJMU research, the work of its award-winning Legal Advice Centre and other legal practitioners in the city.

“It brings to life real examples of how lives have been changed by the Convention in recent years. Each human book represents one of the articles of the Convention and you are invited to talk to them and ask questions,” said Michelle Waite, senior lecturer in the university’s School of Law and Justice Studies.

Book your ticket

The LJMU School of Law and Justice Studies operates a free legal advice service for the public which partners Liverpool Advocates for Windrush as part of a campaign for justice for Afro-Caribbean immigrants. School partner law firm Leigh Day kindly sponsors the Human Rights Living Library.  

The Convention provided the basis for the Museum's own The People's Republic Gallery on the second floor of the Museum.

The events take place at the museum on Saturday, 1 November 2025 from 2 to 4pm. You can reserve your place.