Repeated refusals to register associations involving Turkish minorities in Greece
/For over 20 years, Turkish minorities in Greece have been denied the opportunity to create associations linked to their Turkish heritage.
Read MoreProsecution and Conviction for Burning a Photograph
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At a public demonstration held during the King’s official visit to Girona in September 2007, Enric Stern Taulats and Jaume Roura Capellera set fire to a photograph of the royal couple. They were prosecuted and convicted for insulting the Crown. Both were initially sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonoment, though this was later made conditional on the payment of a fine. The European Court of Human Rights ruled the convictions disproportionate. The Spanish authorities have yet to take action in relation to the free speech issue involved.
Read MoreAttack on freedom of speech – the case of Ahmet Sik
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According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Turkey has more journalists in prison than any other country in the world. Ahmet Şık is a prominent Turkish investigative journalist, who was arrested and detained for his journalism in 2011.
Read MoreUnlawful demolition of property in violation of court rulings
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A group of owners of seaside apartments and shops had their property seized by the authorities in 2013. Despite a court order against the seizure, the whole building was then demolished and the owners were refused compensation. Despite a favourable judgment from the European Court of Human Rights, the compensation has not been paid and the authorities have not presented adequate information detailing how similar situations can be avoided in future.
Read MoreJournalism under threat – the case of Nedim Sener
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Serious and continuing problems with freedom of expression in Turkey have been revealed by the Court’s judgments since 1998. The case of Nedim Şener is one example. He was arrested and detained for over a year, as a result of his work as an investigative journalist.
Read MoreRefusal to register religious associations
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Multiple religious groups have been refused the right to register as formal entities in North Macedonia. The European Court of Human Rights has held that these refusals have been unjustified and for improper reasons.
Read MorePersecution of Russian opposition member Aleksey Navalny
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In one of many judgments concerning Mr Navalny, the European Court of Human Rights held that between 2012 and 2014 the Russian authorities had detained Mr Navalny following public gatherings. The arrests had been politically motivated, whilst the detentions had been unlawful, arbitrary, and unjustified by any meaningful reason. They had also violated the right to free assembly, which was not properly protected under Russian law. The Russian authorities are yet to produce documentation to show how they intend to remedy these issues.
Read MoreCrackdowns on opposition protests in Armenia
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After the 2008 presidential election, rallies began in Yerevan’s Freedom Square to protest against alleged irregularities in the vote. The police intervened and broke up the protest in the middle of the night. The authorities subjected participants in the protest to a series of human rights violations. As of December 2019, the Armenian authorities have not submitted appropriate documentation to the Council of Europe in regard to their plans to safeguard the right to public protest in future.
Read MoreGovernment control of public media in Moldova
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In 2009 the European Court of Human Rights held that the Moldovan government had exercised political control over the main broadcaster in the country, the public media company. The government has not submitted public documents on the implementation of the case since 2011.
Read MorePublic demonstrations subject to violent homophobic attacks in Georgia
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In Georgia, pride marches on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia have repeatedly been the scene of mass homophobic violence. Despite a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights highlighting violence from 2012, it is still not possible to protest safely in favour of LGBTI rights.
Read MoreInterference with the independence of the Hungarian judiciary: the case of András Baka
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In 2011 the Hungarian government started a series of fundamental reforms that were later recognised by many to have undermined the independence of the Hungarian justice system. Mr. Baka was President of the Hungarian Supreme Court at the time and publicly criticised the changes. As a result of his comments, Mr Baka was forced from office three and a half years before the end of his mandate, following a change in the law designed specifically to remove him.
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