GENEVA (26 July 2013) – Three UN Independent Experts welcomed today the recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights that signaled clearly that associations which convey radical extreme-right messages have no place in democratic societies.

On 9 July 2013, the European Court of Human Rights found in Vona vs. Hungary that expressions of racial division calling for race-based actions with intimidating effects on members of racial minorities exceed the scope of protection under the European Convention on Human Rights.

“We praise the decision of the European Court of Human Rights as it represents a much needed call for action for the defence of the rights and dignity of persons belonging to minorities, Roma people in the present case,” said the UN Independent Expert on minority issues, Ms. Rita Izsák.

“The Court’s decision is clear: as article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides that any statements that incite or advocate racial hatred are prohibited and should attract judicial censure,” added the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, Mr. Mutuma Ruteere.

In this connection, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, Mr. Maina Kiai, reminded that in general the right to freedom of association should be enjoyed free of restrictions, unless it is established that the activities of a group contravene international human rights law. As a ground principle, any restriction imposed on the right to freedom of association should be subject to an independent, impartial and prompt judicial review.

“The attacks of such racist groups against democracy deserve particular and constant attention, as they are a far cry from situations where States put undue limitations on freedom of association with a view to muzzling voices of dissent,” Mr. Kiai said.

In recent years, the third largest political party in Hungary, Jobbik, gained support as it voiced anti-Roma and anti-Semitic rhetoric. In 2007, ten members of Jobbik founded the Hungarian Guard Association (Magyar Gárda Egyesület), chaired by the case’s applicant, Vona Gábor. Two months later, the Association established the Hungarian Guard Movement (Magyar Gárda Mozgalom) with military-like uniforms, commands, salutes and formations as well as armbands reminiscent of Arrow Cross symbols.

Since an escalation of attacks against Roma in 2008 and 2009, during which several Roma were killed, the Hungarian authorities have been trying to tackle anti-Roma violence.

In response to rallies inciting racial hatred and discrimination organized by the Magyar Gárda Mozgalom, the Budapest Chief Prosecutor’s Office lodged a court action to dissolve the Movement. On 16 December 2008, the Budapest Regional Court ordered the dissolution of both the Association and the Movement arguing that they were liable for having created an anti-Roma atmosphere by verbal and visual demonstrations of power, which amounted to an abuse of the relevant law on associations, ran counter to human dignity and prejudiced the rights of Roma citizens. The ruling was upheld both by the Budapest Court of Appeal and by the Supreme Court of Hungary.

The European Court concluded that the messages that the concerned association had repeatedly conveyed were of such a grave and intimidatory nature for the targeted groups that action was necessary and justified.

(*) Case of Vona vs. Hungary: http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/sites/eng/pages/search.aspx?i=001-122183#{"itemid":["001-122183"]}

For more information log on to:
Minorities: http://www.ohchr.org/en/topic/minorities
Racism: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-racism
Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-freedom-of-assembly-and-association

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