{"id":16600,"date":"2026-05-13T10:23:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T07:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lexcovery.com\/2026\/05\/review-of-echr-decisions-for-13-05-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T10:23:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T07:23:55","slug":"review-of-echr-decisions-for-13-05-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lexcovery.com\/en\/2026\/05\/review-of-echr-decisions-for-13-05-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Review of ECHR decisions for 13\/05\/2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudoc.echr.coe.int\/?i=001-250020\"><\/p>\n<h3><strong>CASE OF ASEN ASENOV v. BULGARIA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the European Court of Human Rights&#8217; decision in the case of Asen Asenov v. Bulgaria:<\/p>\n<p> 1. **Essence of the Decision:**<br \/>\n The case concerns discriminatory statements made by a Bulgarian politician, Mr. Valeri Simeonov, about the Roma community in Parliament. The applicant, a Roma rights activist, complained that these statements constituted harassment and incited hatred. While the Commission for Protection from Discrimination initially upheld the complaint, the Supreme Administrative Court quashed this decision. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found that Bulgaria&#8217;s Supreme Administrative Court failed to adequately protect the applicant&#8217;s rights under Article 8 (right to respect for private life) in conjunction with Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) of the European Convention on Human Rights. The ECtHR emphasized that the national court did not properly balance the right to freedom of expression with the need to protect individuals from hate speech and discrimination.<\/p>\n<p> 2. **Structure and Main Provisions:**<br \/>\n The judgment begins with an introduction outlining the case&#8217;s background and the applicant&#8217;s complaint. It then details the facts, including the applicant&#8217;s background, the statements made by Mr. Simeonov, and the proceedings before the Commission for Protection from Discrimination and the Bulgarian courts. The judgment includes a review of relevant Bulgarian and European Union law. The core of the decision lies in the ECtHR&#8217;s assessment of whether there was a violation of Articles 8 and 14 of the Convention. The Court examines the admissibility of the complaint, focusing on the applicant&#8217;s victim status and the applicability of Articles 8 and 14. It then delves into the merits of the case, analyzing whether the Supreme Administrative Court&#8217;s judgment breached Bulgaria&#8217;s positive obligations to protect the applicant from discrimination. Finally, the judgment addresses the application of Article 41 regarding just satisfaction, including damages and costs.<\/p>\n<p> 3. **Main Provisions and Importance:**<br \/>\n The most important aspect of this decision is the ECtHR&#8217;s emphasis on the need for national courts to strike a proper balance between freedom of expression and the protection of individuals from hate speech and discrimination, particularly against vulnerable groups like the Roma. The Court highlights that statements by politicians, especially those made in Parliament, carry significant weight and can have a profound impact on public perception and social cohesion. The decision underscores that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it is not absolute and must be exercised responsibly, especially when it comes to speech that could incite hatred or discrimination. The ECtHR&#8217;s judgment serves as a reminder to national courts of their obligation to ensure that anti-discrimination laws are effectively enforced and that victims of hate speech have access to adequate remedies.<\/p>\n<p> **** This decision is particularly relevant for Ukraine, as it highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable groups from hate speech and discrimination, especially in the context of ongoing social and political challenges. The principles outlined in the judgment can inform the development and implementation of policies and laws aimed at promoting tolerance and equality in Ukrainian society.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudoc.echr.coe.int\/?i=001-250022\"><\/p>\n<h3><strong>CASE OF BUDINOVA AND ISAEV v. BULGARIA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the European Court of Human Rights&#8217; decision in the case of Budinova and Isaev v. Bulgaria:<\/p>\n<p> 1. **Essence of the Decision:**<br \/>\n The case concerns discriminatory statements made by a Bulgarian politician, Mr. Valeri Simeonov, about the Roma community in Bulgaria. The applicants, Roma rights activists, claimed that these statements violated their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. The Bulgarian courts dismissed their claim, finding that the statements did not constitute harassment or incitement to discrimination. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found that Bulgaria failed to comply with its positive obligations under Articles 8 and 14 of the Convention by not providing redress to the applicants for the discriminatory statements. The ECtHR held that the domestic courts did not properly balance the right to freedom of expression with the right to respect for private life and the prohibition of discrimination.<\/p>\n<p> 2. **Structure and Main Provisions:**<br \/>\n The judgment begins with an introduction outlining the case&#8217;s background and the main issue before the Court. It then details the facts, including information about the applicants, Mr. Simeonov, and the specific statements at issue. The judgment describes the domestic legal proceedings, including the decisions of the Burgas District Court, the Burgas Regional Court, and the Supreme Court of Cassation. It also outlines the relevant Bulgarian and European Union legal frameworks. The Court then assesses the admissibility of the complaint, addressing issues such as victim status, the applicability of Articles 8 and 14, and the exhaustion of domestic remedies. The Court proceeds to examine the merits of the case, analyzing whether there was a violation of Articles 8 and 14. Finally, the judgment addresses the application of Article 41 regarding just satisfaction, including pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage, as well as costs and expenses.<\/p>\n<p> 3. **Main Provisions for Use:**<br \/>\n *   **Applicability of Articles 8 and 14:** The Court clarifies the criteria for determining when negative stereotyping of a group reaches a level that affects the &#8220;private life&#8221; of its members, triggering the application of Article 8 and, consequently, Article 14. This includes considering the characteristics of the group, the content of the statements, and the context and reach of the statements.<br \/>\n *   **Positive Obligations:** The judgment emphasizes the State&#8217;s positive obligation to provide redress for discriminatory statements, even when made by politicians. It highlights the need for domestic courts to conduct a proper balancing exercise between freedom of expression and the right to protection from discrimination.<br \/>\n *   **Assessment of Harassment:** The Court criticizes the Bulgarian courts for requiring proof of actual and observable consequences in the applicants&#8217; immediate legal situation to demonstrate the impact of the statements. It suggests a broader approach that considers the overall impact on the sense of identity and feelings of self-worth of the targeted group.<\/p>\n<p> This decision underscores the importance of combating discrimination and hate speech, particularly against vulnerable groups like the Roma community. It also clarifies the responsibilities of national courts in balancing competing rights and ensuring effective remedies for victims of discrimination.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudoc.echr.coe.int\/?i=001-250279\"><\/p>\n<h3><strong>CASE OF FAL v. SPAIN<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the European Court of Human Rights&#8217; (ECHR) decision in the case of Fal v. Spain:<\/p>\n<p> 1. **Essence of the Decision:**<br \/>\n The ECHR ruled that Spain did not violate Article 8 of the Convention (right to respect for private and family life) when it expelled a Moroccan national, Mr. Najib Fal, who had been lawfully residing in Spain since 2006. The Spanish authorities expelled Mr. Fal due to his alleged involvement in jihadist activities, which they considered a threat to national security, and imposed a ten-year entry ban. The Court found that the expulsion was justified because it was carried out in accordance with the law, pursued a legitimate aim (protecting national security), and was proportionate to the threat posed by Mr. Fal. The Court emphasized that states have a wide margin of appreciation in cases involving national security and terrorism, provided that adequate safeguards are in place.<\/p>\n<p> 2. **Structure and Main Provisions:**<br \/>\n *  **Introduction:** Sets out the case&#8217;s subject matter: the applicant\u2019s expulsion from Spain on national security grounds.<br \/>\n *  **Facts:** Details Mr. Fal&#8217;s residence and family situation in Spain, the administrative expulsion proceedings against him based on alleged involvement in Islamist terrorism, and the subsequent judicial review of the expulsion order in Spanish courts.<br \/>\n *  **Relevant Legal Framework and Practice:** Outlines the domestic laws of Spain concerning the rights and freedoms of foreigners, national security, and relevant Council of Europe guidelines and conventions on terrorism.<br \/>\n *  **The Law:**<br \/>\n  *  **Alleged Violation of Article 8:** Presents the applicant&#8217;s complaint that his expulsion violated his right to respect for private and family life.<br \/>\n  *  **Admissibility:** Declares the Article 8 complaint admissible.<br \/>\n  *  **Merits:**<br \/>\n  *  **Submissions by the Parties:** Summarizes the arguments made by the applicant and the Spanish Government.<br \/>\n  *  **The Court\u2019s Assessment:**<br \/>\n  *  **General Principles:** Reiterates established principles regarding states&#8217; rights to control the entry and residence of aliens, the balance between individual rights and community interests, and the importance of procedural safeguards.<br \/>\n  *  **Application of the General Principles to the Present Case:** Applies these principles to the specific facts of Mr. Fal&#8217;s case, finding that the expulsion was justified and proportionate.<br \/>\n  *  **Other Alleged Violations of the Convention:** Addresses the applicant&#8217;s additional complaints, including those under Article 1 of Protocol No. 7, and finds them inadmissible.<br \/>\n *  **For These Reasons, the Court:** Formally declares the Article 8 complaint admissible, the remainder inadmissible, and holds that there has been no violation of Article 8 of the Convention.<\/p>\n<p> 3. **Main Provisions for Use:**<br \/>\n *  **Wide Margin of Appreciation in National Security Cases:** The Court reiterates that states have a wide margin of appreciation when dealing with national security threats, particularly in cases involving terrorism.<br \/>\n *  **Proportionality Assessment:** The decision emphasizes the importance of a thorough proportionality assessment, balancing the individual&#8217;s rights with the interests of the community. This includes considering the nature and seriousness of the conduct, the duration of residence, family ties, and the degree of integration in the host country.<br \/>\n *  **Procedural Safeguards:** The Court highlights the need for fair decision-making processes, including informing the individual of the reasons for expulsion, providing legal representation, and allowing for judicial review of the decision.<br \/>\n *  **Impact of Criminal Proceedings:** The absence of a criminal conviction is a relevant factor, but not decisive, in administrative expulsion cases based on national security considerations.<br \/>\n *  **Time-Limited Re-entry Ban:** A time-limited re-entry ban can be a factor weighing in favor of proportionality.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudoc.echr.coe.int\/?i=001-250025\"><\/p>\n<h3><strong>CASE OF SKRCHESKI v. NORTH MACEDONIA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the Skrcheski v. North Macedonia decision:<\/p>\n<p> 1.  **Essence of the Decision:** The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found that North Macedonia violated Article 6 \u00a7 1 of the Convention (right to a fair trial) in the case of Mr. Skrcheski, a retired judge. The State Judicial Council (SJC) had found him guilty of professional misconduct for failing to deliver judgments on time. The ECtHR determined that the SJC unfairly applied the law, disregarding a previous decision by an appeal panel that a more lenient version of the law should have been used. This failure to comply with the appeal panel&#8217;s instructions undermined the proper administration of justice and the rule of law, thus violating Mr. Skrcheski&#8217;s right to a fair trial. The Court emphasized the importance of the SJC&#8217;s role in maintaining public trust in the judiciary.<br \/>\n 2.  **Structure and Main Provisions:**<br \/>\n  *   **Introduction:** Briefly outlines the case, the applicant&#8217;s complaint, and the relevant Article of the Convention.<br \/>\n  *   **Facts:** Details the timeline of events, including the initial misconduct proceedings against Mr. Skrcheski, the SJC&#8217;s decision, the appeal, and the subsequent proceedings after the case was sent back to the SJC.<br \/>\n  *   **Relevant Legal Framework and Practice:** Provides the text of the relevant articles of the Constitution of North Macedonia, the Courts Act (both the 2010 and 2019 versions), the SJC Act, and describes the practice of the SJC and the appeal panel.<br \/>\n  *   **Law:**<br \/>\n  *   *Alleged Violation of Article 6 of the Convention:* This section addresses the admissibility of the application, including the six-month time limit and the applicability of Article 6 to the proceedings. The Court found that Article 6 \u00a7 1 was applicable because the proceedings directly concerned Mr. Skrcheski&#8217;s civil right to enjoy a good reputation.<br \/>\n  *   *Merits:* This section contains the parties&#8217; submissions and the Court&#8217;s assessment. The Court found that the SJC&#8217;s failure to comply with the Appeal Panel&#8217;s instructions was at odds with the principle of the proper administration of justice and the rule of law.<br \/>\n  *   *Application of Article 41 of the Convention:* This section discusses just satisfaction. The Court found that it was not called upon to make any awards under any head.<br \/>\n  *   **Operative part:** Declares the application admissible and holds that there has been a violation of Article 6 \u00a7 1 of the Convention.<br \/>\n 3.  **Main Provisions for Use:**<br \/>\n  *   **Applicability of Article 6 \u00a7 1 (civil limb) to professional misconduct proceedings:** The Court explicitly states that proceedings determining professional misconduct, even against a retired judge, can directly concern the &#8220;civil right&#8221; to enjoy a good reputation, thus triggering the protections of Article 6 \u00a7 1.<br \/>\n  *   **Importance of compliance with appeal panel instructions:** The decision highlights that a failure by a lower body (here, the SJC) to comply with the instructions of a higher body (the Appeal Panel) is a violation of the principle of the proper administration of justice and the rule of law.<br \/>\n  *   **Emphasis on the role of the judiciary and public trust:** The Court underscores the special role of the judiciary in society and the importance of maintaining public confidence in its functioning, particularly in disciplinary or misconduct proceedings.<\/p>\n<p> I hope this is helpful!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudoc.echr.coe.int\/?i=001-250024\"><\/p>\n<h3><strong>CASE OF TRADE UNION OF SOCIAL SECTOR WORKERS AND OTHERS v. HUNGARY<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered a judgment in the case of Trade Union of Social Sector Workers and Others v. Hungary, concerning the violation of Article 11 of the Convention due to protracted arbitration proceedings. The case originated from a complaint by a trade union representing social sector workers and its members regarding delays in reaching a decision on the minimum services to be provided during their planned strike. The trade union argued that these delays hindered their ability to strike effectively, thus violating their right to freedom of association. The ECtHR found that the excessive delays in the arbitration process, which was a precondition for the strike, effectively stripped the proposed strike action of its relevance. Consequently, the Court concluded that there had been a disproportionate restriction on the applicants\u2019 rights under Article 11 of the Convention.<\/p>\n<p>The decision begins with an introduction outlining the applicants&#8217; complaints regarding the protracted arbitration proceedings. It then details the facts of the case, including the trade union&#8217;s decision to organize a strike, the submission of their offer of minimum services, and the subsequent legal proceedings before Hungarian courts. The judgment references the relevant Hungarian legal framework, specifically the Strike Act, which governs the conditions for strikes and the determination of minimum services. The Court then assesses the alleged violation of Articles 11 and 13 of the Convention, ultimately focusing its analysis on Article 11 concerning freedom of association. The ECtHR addresses the admissibility of the application, rejecting the government&#8217;s argument that individual applicants failed to exhaust domestic remedies. Finally, the Court examines the merits of the case, considering arguments from both the applicants and the government, and concludes that a violation of Article 11 occurred. The decision concludes with the application of Article 41, addressing the issue of just satisfaction, including damages and costs.<\/p>\n<p>The main provision of this decision is the finding that the excessive delays in compulsory arbitration proceedings related to a strike action constituted a violation of Article 11 of the Convention. The Court emphasized that such delays can render strike action irrelevant and disproportionately restrict the rights of trade unions to protect the interests of their members. This decision highlights the importance of timely judicial proceedings in cases involving fundamental rights such as the right to strike and freedom of association.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudoc.echr.coe.int\/?i=001-250023\"><\/p>\n<h3><strong>CASE OF Y v. SERBIA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the judgment in the case of Y v. Serbia:<\/p>\n<p> 1.  The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that there was no violation of Article 8 of the Convention in a case concerning the severance of contact between an applicant and her half-brother after he was adopted by a family living abroad. The applicant, Ms. Y, complained that the adoption of her half-brother, X, and the subsequent lack of contact violated her right to family life. The Court found that the domestic authorities acted in X&#8217;s best interests by allowing the adoption, as it provided him with a stable family situation that he lacked. The Court emphasized that the authorities had initially tried to find a family that would adopt both siblings. The decision highlights the complexities of balancing the interests of children in adoption cases, especially when international adoption is involved.<br \/>\n 2.  The judgment begins with an introduction outlining the case&#8217;s subject matter: the applicant&#8217;s lack of contact with her half-brother after his adoption abroad. It then details the facts, including the family&#8217;s background, the placement of the children in foster care, the decision to initiate adoption proceedings, and the applicant&#8217;s refusal to be adopted. The judgment also covers the legal proceedings initiated by Ms. L. (the foster carer) to challenge the adoption. The relevant domestic and international legal frameworks are then presented, followed by the applicant&#8217;s complaint under Article 8 of the Convention. The Court then assesses the admissibility of the application, addressing the government&#8217;s objections regarding Ms. L.&#8217;s standing and the exhaustion of domestic remedies. The Court then examines the merits of the case, considering arguments from both sides and applying relevant principles. Finally, the Court addresses other alleged violations of the Convention before delivering its verdict.<br \/>\n 3.  The most important provision of this decision is the Court&#8217;s emphasis on the best interests of the child in adoption cases, particularly in international adoptions. The Court recognized that while maintaining sibling contact is generally desirable, it is not an absolute requirement under the Convention, especially when it conflicts with the adopted child&#8217;s need for stability and integration into a new family. The decision also clarifies that member states are not obligated to provide a remedy that would allow biological relatives to seek contact with an adopted child after the adoption has taken place.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudoc.echr.coe.int\/?i=001-250021\"><\/p>\n<h3><strong>CASE OF AKAT v. T\u00dcRK\u0130YE<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the Akat v. T\u00fcrkiye decision from the European Court of Human Rights:<\/p>\n<p> 1.  **Essence of the Decision:**<\/p>\n<p> The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found T\u00fcrkiye in violation of Articles 5 \u00a7\u00a7 1 and 3 (right to liberty and security) and Article 10 (freedom of expression) of the Convention. The case concerned the pre-trial detention of Ms. Ayla Akat, a Turkish political figure, on suspicion of establishing or leading an armed terrorist organization. The Court concluded that there was no reasonable suspicion to justify her detention based on her political speeches, participation in events, and social media posts. The ECtHR also determined that the domestic courts failed to provide sufficient reasons for her continued detention and that her freedom of expression had been violated.<\/p>\n<p> 2.  **Structure and Main Provisions:**<\/p>\n<p> *   **Subject Matter:** The case addresses the legality of the applicant&#8217;s pre-trial detention and its impact on her rights to liberty, security, and freedom of expression.<br \/>\n *   **Background:** Ms. Akat, a political figure known for her involvement in the &#8220;Kurdish question,&#8221; was arrested and detained on suspicion of links to the PKK\/KCK terrorist organization.<br \/>\n *   **Reasoning:** The Court examined whether there was a &#8220;reasonable suspicion&#8221; that Ms. Akat had committed an offense and whether the domestic courts provided sufficient justification for her detention. It scrutinized the evidence presented by the Turkish government, including her role in the Democratic Society Congress (DTK), her speeches, and her social media activity.<br \/>\n *   **Findings:** The Court found that the accusations against Ms. Akat were not supported by concrete evidence and that her political speeches and activities did not amount to incitement to violence or a terrorism-related offense. It also noted that the Turkish authorities failed to demonstrate a clear link between her actions and the offense of leading a terrorist organization.<br \/>\n *   **Admissibility:** The Court dismissed the government&#8217;s objections regarding the admissibility of the application, including the argument that the applicant had not exhausted domestic remedies.<br \/>\n *   **Article 5 Violations:** The Court held that there was a violation of Article 5 \u00a7 1 because the applicant&#8217;s detention was not based on a reasonable suspicion. It also found a violation of Article 5 \u00a7 3, as the domestic authorities did not provide sufficient reasons for her continued detention.<br \/>\n *   **Article 10 Violation:** The Court determined that the applicant&#8217;s detention interfered with her freedom of expression and that this interference was not &#8220;prescribed by law&#8221; because it was not based on a reasonable suspicion.<br \/>\n *   **Article 5 \u00a7 4:** The applicant&#8217;s claim under Article 5 \u00a7 4 was deemed inadmissible due to her failure to provide a copy of the decision restricting her access to the investigation file.<br \/>\n *   **Article 41 (Just Satisfaction):** The Court awarded Ms. Akat EUR 8,000 for non-pecuniary damage and EUR 1,000 for costs and expenses.<\/p>\n<p> 3.  **Main Provisions for Use:**<\/p>\n<p> *   **Reasonable Suspicion:** The decision emphasizes the importance of a &#8220;reasonable suspicion&#8221; based on concrete evidence when detaining individuals on suspicion of criminal offenses, particularly in cases involving political expression.<br \/>\n *   **Freedom of Expression:** The Court reaffirms that political speeches and participation in public meetings, even if critical of the government, are protected under Article 10 unless they amount to incitement to violence.<br \/>\n *   **Justification for Detention:** The decision underscores the need for domestic courts to provide relevant and sufficient reasons for pre-trial detention, taking into account the specific circumstances of each case.<br \/>\n *   **Derogation under Article 15:** The Court reiterates that measures taken under a state of emergency must still comply with the fundamental principles of the Convention and that no derogating measure had been applicable to the applicants\u2019 situations.<\/p>\n<p> **** This decision may have implications for similar cases in T\u00fcrkiye involving the detention of political figures and activists, particularly those related to the &#8220;Kurdish question.&#8221; It reinforces the need for Turkish authorities to respect freedom of expression and to ensure that detention decisions are based on concrete evidence and sufficient justification.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudoc.echr.coe.int\/?i=001-250027\"><\/p>\n<h3><strong>CASE OF MIRONIUK v. LITHUANIA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the Mironiuk v. Lithuania decision from the European Court of Human Rights:<\/p>\n<p> 1.  **Essence of the Decision:**<\/p>\n<p> The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found Lithuania in violation of Article 6 \u00a7 1 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms due to the excessive length of criminal proceedings against Mr. Roman Mironiuk. The proceedings, which lasted over eight years and four months, were deemed unreasonably long, particularly the appellate stage. While acknowledging the complexity of the case, the Court highlighted significant delays and lack of diligence by the appellate court. The Court dismissed the Government&#8217;s objection regarding the exhaustion of domestic remedies and awarded the applicant 3,800 euros in respect of non-pecuniary damage.<\/p>\n<p> 2.  **Structure and Main Provisions:**<\/p>\n<p> *   **Subject Matter:** The case concerned the length of criminal proceedings against the applicant, Mr. Mironiuk.<br \/>\n *   **Background:** Mr. Mironiuk was arrested in 2009 on suspicion of aggravated murder and property-related offenses. The case went through the Vilnius Regional Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court.<br \/>\n *   **Court Proceedings:** The judgment details the timeline of the pre-trial investigation, court proceedings at the Vilnius Regional Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, including reasons for delays and adjournments.<br \/>\n *   **Civil Proceedings for Damages:** Mr. Mironiuk initiated civil proceedings seeking compensation for the lengthy duration of the criminal proceedings, which were ultimately dismissed by domestic courts.<br \/>\n *   **Complaint:** The applicant complained that the length of the criminal proceedings violated Article 6 \u00a7 1 of the Convention.<br \/>\n *   **The Court\u2019s Assessment:**<br \/>\n  *   The Court addressed the Government&#8217;s argument that domestic remedies had not been exhausted, dismissing the objection.<br \/>\n  *   The Court assessed the length of the proceedings, finding that the appellate court proceedings were particularly long and lacked diligence.<br \/>\n  *   The Court concluded that there had been a violation of Article 6 \u00a7 1 of the Convention.<br \/>\n *   **Application of Article 41:** The Court awarded the applicant EUR 3,800 in respect of non-pecuniary damage.<\/p>\n<p> 3.  **Main Provisions for Use:**<\/p>\n<p> *   **Violation of Article 6 \u00a7 1:** The core finding is that Lithuania violated the applicant&#8217;s right to a fair trial within a reasonable time due to the excessive length of the appellate proceedings.<br \/>\n *   **Assessment of Lengthy Proceedings:** The Court&#8217;s assessment considers the complexity of the case, the conduct of the parties, and the diligence of the authorities. It emphasizes that complexity does not justify long periods of inaction.<br \/>\n *   **Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies:** The Court clarified that applicants must raise their complaints &#8220;at least in substance&#8221; before domestic courts, but it should not be interpreted too strictly.<br \/>\n *   **Effective Remedy:** The civil action for damages was considered an effective remedy for obtaining redress for unreasonably lengthy criminal proceedings.<br \/>\n *   **Compensation:** The applicant was awarded EUR 3,800 for non-pecuniary damage, reflecting the Court&#8217;s assessment of the harm suffered due to the prolonged proceedings.<\/p>\n<p> This decision underscores the importance of timely judicial proceedings and the state&#8217;s responsibility to ensure cases are processed with due diligence, especially at the appellate level.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudoc.echr.coe.int\/?i=001-250029\"><\/p>\n<h3><strong>CASE OF ZIGMANTAVI\u010cIUS v. LITHUANIA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the European Court of Human Rights&#8217; decision in the case of Zigmantavi\u010dius v. Lithuania:<\/p>\n<p> 1.  **Essence of the Decision:**<\/p>\n<p> The case concerned a Lithuanian man, Danis Zigmantavi\u010dius, who alleged he was ill-treated by a police officer using an electroshock device and that the subsequent investigation was ineffective. The Court found that while the investigation into the incident was adequate, the use of the electroshock device was not justified by the applicant&#8217;s conduct and constituted inhuman and degrading treatment, violating Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Court emphasized that the force used was not strictly necessary, given the circumstances. The applicant did not claim for just satisfaction.<\/p>\n<p> 2.  **Structure and Main Provisions:**<\/p>\n<p> *   **Subject Matter:** Defines the core issue as the alleged ill-treatment and the effectiveness of the investigation.<br \/>\n *   **Alleged Ill-Treatment:** Details the events of April 8, 2022, including the police intervention following a neighbor&#8217;s report, the applicant&#8217;s behavior, and the use of the electroshock device by Officer G.P.<br \/>\n *   **Pre-Trial Investigation:** Describes the initial inquiry, including statements from officers and the applicant, and the decision to refuse a pre-trial investigation, which was later upheld on appeal.<br \/>\n *   **Criminal Proceedings Against the Applicant:** Notes that the applicant was convicted of resisting police orders.<br \/>\n *   **The Applicant\u2019s Complaint:** States that the applicant complained under Article 3 of the Convention about ill-treatment and the ineffectiveness of the investigation.<br \/>\n *   **The Court\u2019s Assessment:**<br \/>\n  *   **Admissibility:** Declares the application admissible.<br \/>\n  *   **Procedural Limb:** Assesses the effectiveness of the investigation, finding no violation of Article 3.<br \/>\n  *   **Substantive Limb:** Examines whether the treatment itself violated Article 3, concluding that it did.<br \/>\n *   **Application of Article 41:** States that because the applicant did not submit a claim for just satisfaction, no sum was awarded.<\/p>\n<p> 3.  **Main Provisions for Use:**<\/p>\n<p> *   **Effectiveness of Investigation:** The Court found that the investigation was prompt, independent, allowed for the victim to participate effectively, and thorough.<br \/>\n *   **Prohibition of Ill-Treatment:** The Court reiterated that any recourse to physical force against a person confronted with law-enforcement officers must be strictly necessary.<br \/>\n *   **Use of Force:** The Court emphasized that the use of an electroshock device was not justified by the applicant&#8217;s conduct, as it was not demonstrated that his actions posed a real threat to the officers&#8217; life or limb.<br \/>\n *   **Advance Warning:** The Court noted that the applicant was not warned about the possible use of an electroshock device, and it was not impossible to give such a warning.<\/p>\n<p> This decision underscores the importance of proportionality in the use of force by law enforcement and the necessity of providing warnings before using potentially harmful devices like electroshock weapons.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CASE OF ASEN ASENOV v. BULGARIA Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the European Court of Human Rights&#8217; decision in the case of Asen Asenov v. Bulgaria: 1. **Essence of the Decision:** The case concerns discriminatory statements made by a Bulgarian politician, Mr. Valeri Simeonov, about the Roma community in Parliament. The applicant, a Roma rights activist,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[129],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-echr-decisions","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":{"patreon-level":0},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexcovery.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16600","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexcovery.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexcovery.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexcovery.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexcovery.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16600"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lexcovery.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16600\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexcovery.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexcovery.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexcovery.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}