E (a child), Re (Northern Ireland) [2008] UKHL 66 (12 November 2008)

In this case, the House of Lords decided that a police response to sectarian unrest in Northern Ireland did not constitute a breach by the State of its positive obligation to prevent the infliction of inhuman and degrading treatment upon its citizens under art 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Baroness Hale discussed how the special vulnerability of children impacted upon the State’s obligations under article 3.

Detailed case note.