France condemned by the ECHR for violation of the freedom of expression of pro-Palestine activists

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) condemned France, Thursday, June 11, for violation of the freedom of expression of pro-Palestinian militants, who had been condemned for their call for the boycott of products imported from Israel .

"The Court notes that the actions and remarks alleged against the applicants fell under political and militant expression and concerned a subject of general interest" and considers that their conviction in 2013 by the Colmar Court of Appeal "did not based on relevant and sufficient grounds, "argues the Council of Europe's legal arm.

Baldassi c. France, judgment: Militant action in favor of the boycott of products from Israel criminally punished as discriminatory, without relevant and sufficient grounds: violation https://t.co/wxcoLJ4Srs #ECHR #CEDH #ECHRlegalsummaries

The ECHR had been seized in 2016 by eleven members of the "Collectif Palestine 68". Relaying in the Haut-Rhin the international campaign of Palestinian NGOs "Boycott, divestment and sanctions", the applicants participated in 2009 and 2010 in actions in a hypermarket in Illzach, near Mulhouse, to call customers to boycott Israeli products.

"By nature, political discourse is often virulent and a source of controversy. It nonetheless remains of public interest, unless it degenerates into a call to violence, hatred or intolerance", a underlined the ECHR in a press release on its decision.

Satisfaction for the France-Palestine association

"The call to boycott is recognized as a citizen right!", Welcomed the France-Palestine association in a press release.

On the other hand, the court considered that article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights ("no punishment without law") had not been violated by French justice.

Victory for freedom of expression: the call to boycott is recognized as a citizen right! @ECHR_CEDH https://t.co/vOtLghebU6

According to the ECHR decision, France must pay each of the applicants "380 euros for pecuniary damage, 7,000 euros for non-pecuniary damage, and the applicants together 20,000 euros for costs and expenses".

Last week, the ECHR had already condemned France for not having taken sufficient measures to protect Marina, an 8-year-old girl, who died in 2009 under the blows of her parents.

With AFP

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