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Tyrer v. The United Kingdom

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Court/Judicial body: European Court of Human Rights

Citation: Application no. 5856/72
Date: 25 April 1978 
Instrument(s) cited: European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 

Case summary

Anthony Tyrer, 16, submitted a claim to the European Commission of Huamn Rights in 1972, claiming that his rights had been breached by a judicial birching order made against him by a court in the Isle of Man. The claim was subsequently referred to the European Court of Human Rights. The Court ruled that judicial birching amounted to degrading punishment in breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. 

Link to full judgement: http://www.coe.int/t/transversalprojects/children/Source/caselawCourt/tyrer_en.doc