Protocol No. 3 to the 1950 European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, E.T.S. 45, entered into force Sept. 21, 1970.

Considering that it is advisable to amend certain provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms signed at Rome on 4th November 1950 (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention") concerning the procedure of the European Commission of Human Rights,

Have agreed as follows:

1. Article 29 of the Convention is deleted.

2. The following provision shall be inserted in the Convention:

"Article 29

After it has accepted a petition submitted under Article 25, the Commission may nevertheless decide unanimously to reject the petition if, in the course of its examination, it finds that the existence of one of the grounds for non-acceptance provided for in Article 27 has been established. In such case, the decision shall be communicated to the parties."

In Article 30 of the Convention, the word "Sub-Commission" shall be replaced by the word "Commission".

1. At the beginning of Article 34 of the Convention, the following shall be inserted:

"Subject to the provisions of Article 29. . .

2. At the end of the same Article, the sentence "the Sub-Commission shall take its decisions by a majority of its members" shall be deleted.

1. This Protocol shall be open to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe signatories to the Convention, who may become Parties to it either by:

(a) signature without reservation in respect of ratification or acceptance, or

(b) signature with reservation in respect of ratification or acceptance, followed by ratification or acceptance. Instruments of ratification or acceptance shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.

2. This Protocol shall enter into force as soon as all States Parties to the Convention shall have become Parties to the Protocol, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article.

3. The Secretary-General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council of:

(a) any signature without reservation in respect of ratification or acceptance;

(b) any signature with reservation in respect of ratification or acceptance;

(c) the deposit of any instrument of ratification or acceptance;

(d) the date of entry into force of this Protocol in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article.