The Case of Copland vs United Kingdom: A Cursory Look at the Right to Privacy Through the European Convention on Human Rights

Abstract

The right to privacy, being a civil and political right falls under the first generation of human rights and its importance cannot be undermined in any sense. The Council of Europe in 1950 adopted the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) for the promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights and social development. This paper will examine the right to privacy as adjudicated upon in the case of Copland vs United Kingdom and discuss some of the principles in that case and how the said principles have laid down the foundation for the application of the right to privacy as we have it today. The privacy practice around the world and other analogous issues are also briefly discussed in this paper.

Keywords: ECHR, privacy, data protection, ACHPR, privacy in Nigeria, Nigeria, data protection in Nigeria, Copland vs UK, African Charter