The European Court of Human Rights on Thursday condemned France's violation of freedom of expression, in response to a French court's condemnation of pro-Palestine activists, who had called for a boycott of Israeli products 10 years ago.
The European Court unanimously ruled that the criminal conviction of the French judiciary in 2015 of activists calling for a boycott of Israeli goods violates Article 10 of freedom of expression from the European Convention on Human Rights, according to a statement issued by the Movement to "boycott Israel, withdraw investments and impose sanctions" (BDS). ).
The court imposed on the French government to pay each of the 11 complainants seven thousand and 380 euros in compensation for material and moral damages, and the plaintiffs group 20 thousand euros as compensation for the expenses.
After announcing the decision, Rita Ahmed, who is a member of the movement, said that the decision of the European Court of Human Rights is a decisive victory for freedom of expression, human rights defenders and the boycott movement.
The story goes back to the participation of 11 activists in France in peaceful protests, in 2009 and 2010, inside shopping centers, where they peacefully called for a boycott of Israeli goods as part of the campaign.
French courts have convicted activists of inciting discrimination because of their participation in the boycott campaign.