The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 32 (art. 32) of the
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
(hereinafter referred to as "the Convention"),
Having regard to the report drawn up by the European Commission of Human
Rights in accordance with Article 31 (art. 31) of the Convention relating to the
application lodged on 15 May 1990 by Mr A. A. against France (Application No.
17676/91);
Whereas on 11 July 1994 the Commission transmitted the said report to the
Committee of Ministers and whereas the period of three months provided for in
Article 32, paragraph 1 (art. 32-1), of the Convention has elapsed without the
case having been brought before the European Court of Human Rights in pursuance
of Article 48 (art. 48) of the Convention;
Whereas in his application, declared admissible by the Commission on 31
March 1993, the applicant complained of the interception and the recording of
his telephone conversations by criminal investigation police officers and of the
fairness of the criminal proceedings brought against him;
Whereas in its report adopted on 11 May 1994 the Commission expressed,
unanimously, the opinion that there had been a violation of Article 8 (art. 8)
of the Convention, and that there had been no violation of Article 6, paragraph
1 (art. 6-1), of the Convention;
Whereas, at the 520th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies held on 17
November 1994, the Committee of Ministers, agreeing with the opinion expressed
by the Commission, held, having voted in accordance with the provisions of
Article 32, paragraph 1
(art. 32-1), of the Convention, that there had been a violation of Article 8
(art. 8) of the Convention, and that there had been no violation of Article 6,
paragraph 1 (art. 6-1), of the Convention;
Whereas the Committee of Ministers examined the proposals made by the
Commission when transmitting its report as regards just satisfaction to be
awarded to the applicant, proposals supplemented by a letter of the President of
the Commission dated 3 March 1995;
Whereas, at the 542nd meeting of the Deputies held on
7 September 1995, the Committee of Ministers decided, in accordance with Article
32, paragraph 2 (art. 32-2), of the Convention, that the Government of France
was to pay the applicant as just satisfaction, within three months, 7 500 French
francs in respect of non-pecuniary damage, 10 000 French francs in respect of
costs incurred before domestic courts and 15 000 French francs in respect of
costs incurred before the Commission, namely a total sum of 32 500 French
francs;
Whereas the Committee of Ministers invited the Government of France to
inform it of the measures taken following its decisions of 17 November 1994 and
7 September 1995, having regard to France's obligation under Article 32,
paragraph 4 (art. 32-4), of the Convention to abide by them;
Whereas, the Government of France informed the Committee of Ministers that
the law of 10 July 1991 concerning the secrecy of telecommunications, which came
into force on 1 October 1991, (see notably Resolution DH (92) 40 in the case of
Huvig against France and Resolution DH (92) 41 in the case of Kruslin against
France) would also apply to situations comparable to the one at issue in the
present case;
Whereas the Committee of Ministers satisfied itself that
on 8 March 1996 at the latest, the Government of France paid the applicant the
total sum of 32 500 French francs as just satisfaction,
Declares, having taken note of the measures taken by the Government of
France, that it has exercised its functions under Article 32 (art. 32) of the
Convention in this case;
Authorises the publication of the report adopted by the
Commission in this case.
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