Il Protocollo n. 16 alla CEDU e il rafforzamento della giurisprudenza sui diritti umani in Europa

This article is focused on the analysis of the Protocol n. 16 to the European Convention on Human Rights, adopted on 2013 and not yet in force. This Protocol considerably extends the advisory jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights, in order to enable the domestic courts of last instance of the Contracting Parties to request not binding advisory opinions to the European court, in the context of a case pending before the requesting court or tribunal. Under a comparative point of view, and particulary taking into consideration the Inter-American Court of Human Rights advisory mechanism, a particular emphasis will be given to some material parameters of the new procedure, namely the title to request an advisory opinion, the nature of the questions the domestic court may refer to the Strasbourg Court, and the possible effects of these opinions. The analysis will then highlight the impact of the advisory procedure on the role of these regional courts, peculiar judicial authorities of supranational nature whose decisions can foster the evolution and the transformation of the law, even within the Contracting parties domestic law