ECtHR: Conviction of a human rights activist for defamation does not violate the right to freedom of expression
Sofie Luise Burger
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg ruled on 12 January 2016 (Application No. 55495/08) that the conviction of a human rights activist for defamation does not violate Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) which protects the right to freedom of expression.
The applicant is an Austrian activist who works for the association "Asyl in Not" ("asylum in need") which offers legal and social support to asylum seekers and refugees. In 2005, the Austrian Parliament adopted several amendments to laws concerning the status of foreigners and asylum seekers that were discussed…