Relationship of international law and municipal law — Treaties — European Convention on Human Rights, 1950 — Status within German constitutional law — Whether self-executing — Duty of lower courts to take into account decisions of the European Court of Human Rights

Treaties — Application — Effect in municipal law — German Basic Law — Duty of lower courts to take account of the European Convention on Human Rights and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights in the exercise of their powers

Human rights — Right to family life — Father of illegitimate child — Right of access to child — Balance between rights of the father and best interests of the child — Decision of European Court of Human Rights — Effect on proceedings in German courts — The law of Germany