On 23 July 2009 the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) gave a judgment in a case that had been brought against France by Hachette Filipacchi Associés - the publisher of the French weekly ‘Ici Paris’. Ici Paris had published an article about the ever-popular French rock ‘n roll singer Johnny Hallyday. The article ‘What if he flops in Las Vegas? Panic stations, Johnny!’ referred to the supposed financial difficulties of the singer. The article was also illustrated by some photographs of advertising material for products with which Hallyday, whose real name is …read more

A discussion of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the matter Féret vs. Belgium dated 16 July 2009

Statements FN Politician Féret

Last week the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (”ECHR”) rendered a judgment (link for the French speakers among us) in proceedings instituted by the Belgian politician Féret against Belgium. As the then chairman of the Belgian Front National, Féret grumbled at immigrants and asylum seekers. In pamphlets he had, among other things, called for a “Belgians and Europeans first” policy for the distribution of work. Immigrants should go back to where they …read more