Secrecy and accountability for extraordinary renditions to torture: Italy, the European Court of Human Rights and the Abu Omar Case / Secret et responsabilité en cas d’extradition extraordinaire pour torture : l’Italie, la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme et l’affaire Abu Omar

The article examines the recent judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Abu Omar v. Italy, concerning a case of extraordinary rendition to torture. The article contextualizes the ruling of the ECtHR in light of the previous judicial developments at the national level and explains that the ECtHR has been able to pierce the veil of state sovereignty, which had clouded the case in municipal courts. The article claims that the Court has acted as an effective forum ensuring accountability for gross human rights violations and concludes suggesting that, at a time when terrorist threats persist, the ECtHR remains more important than ever to balance human rights with national security concerns.