The European Court of Human Rights has unanimously ruled that the administrative dissolution of an extreme right-wing group, comprised of Troisième Voie and two smaller associations called L’Oeuvre française and Jeunesses nationalistes, by French authorities did not breach their rights to freedom of assembly and association and freedom of expression contained in Articles 11 and 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights.
In light of the information provided, including the death a young Science and Political Studies student as well as violent clashes with different groups, the Court remarked that the dissolution was justified as it was aimed at ensuring public safety, preventing disorder and protecting the rights of others, all of which constituted legitimate aims for the purposes of Article 11(2) of the Convention.
The Court also found that L’Oeuvre française and Jeunesses nationalistes had pursued aims prohibited by Article 17 of the Convention and had acted in a manner inconsistent with the values of tolerance, social peace and non-discrimination underpinning the Convention. The Court found that they had abused their right to freedom of association.
This ruling was delivered the same week as a decision of the Athens Appeal Court to declare that the Greek political party ‘Golden Dawn’ a criminal organisation.
Click here for the judgement.