CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2025
| Author | Nilges, Ilaria |
|---|---|
| Title | Breaking the silence on femi(ni)cide: risk patterns, international human rights law and the role of the ECtHR |
| Summary | This thesis explores the phenomenon of femi(ni)cide, the killing of women because of their gender, through a multidisciplinary lens, combining legal analysis with sociological insights. The research begins by tracing the historical and conceptual evolution of the term femi(ni)cide, highlighting definitional issues and emphasising its significance as a global human rights issue. It challenges the notion that violent behaviour can be attributed to a single cause, instead framing femi(ni)cide as a structural phenomenon deeply embedded in all levels of society and social interactions. The core of the thesis focuses on international legal responses to femi(ni)cide, particularly within the European human rights framework. Central to the analysis is the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), specifically how the Court interprets Article 2 (right to life) in cases involving domestic violence and femi(ni)cides. Through a close reading of landmark cases, the thesis critically evaluates the evolution and limitations of the Court’s approach and its application of the Osman test when dealing with domestic violence cases. By integrating legal frameworks with real-world case studies, this thesis aims to contribute to the discourse on how international human rights law and bodies, particularly the ECtHR, address femi(ni)cide and to advocate for stronger legal mechanisms to combat this pervasive form of gender-based violence. |
| Supervisor | Möschel, Mathias |
| Department | Legal Studies MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2025/nilges_ilaria.pdf |
Visit the CEU Library.
© 2007-2021, Central European University