This course will analyze the main challenges to fundamental rights protection in a comparative perspective. It will begin with a broader overview of fundamental rights protection in Europe with a focus on the role of the European Court of Human Rights. This part aims to highlight the tension between a “pan-European” standard of fundamental rights protection and the specificity of the different member states. The seminar will then examine, from a comparative perspective between Europe and the EU some specific issues dealing with rights protection: the right to abortion, freedom of religion and social rights protection.