Resolution CM/ResDH(2023)251
Execution of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights
Ciorhan against Romania
(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 21 September 2023
at the 1475th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies)
Application No.
Case
Judgment of
Final on
49379/13
CIORHAN
03/12/2019
03/12/2019
The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 46, paragraph 2, of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which provides that the Committee supervises the execution of final judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (hereinafter “the Convention” and “the Court”),
Having regard to the final judgment transmitted by the Court to the Committee in this case and to the violation of Article 10 of the Convention established due to an unjustified interference with the applicant’s right to freedom of expression, as a result of a domestic court’s decision holding him liable in tort for defamation;
Recalling the respondent State’s obligation, under Article 46, paragraph 1, of the Convention, to abide by all final judgments in cases to which it has been a party and that this obligation entails, over and above the payment of any sums awarded by the Court, the adoption by the authorities of the respondent State, where required:
- of individual measures to put an end to violations established and erase their consequences so as to achieve as far as possible restitutio in integrum; and
- of general measures preventing similar violations;
Having invited the government of the respondent State to inform the Committee of the measures taken to comply with the above-mentioned obligation;
Having examined the action report provided by the government including the information provided regarding the payment of the just satisfaction awarded by the Court (see document DH-DD(2020)518);
Considering that the question of individual measures was resolved, given that the just satisfaction awarded in respect of pecuniary damage, non-pecuniary damage and costs and expenses and duly paid erased all the negative consequences for the applicant of the violation established;
Recalling that the question of general measures required in response to the shortcomings found by the Court in this judgment continues to be examined within the framework of the Ghiulfer Predescu group of cases, also in the light of the Court’s findings in this case, and that the closure of this case therefore in no way prejudges the Committee’s evaluation of the general measures in relation to unjustified interferences with the right to freedom of expression of persons held liable in tort for defamation for statements made on matters of public interest;
DECLARES that it has exercised its functions under Article 46, paragraph 2, of the Convention in this case;
CONCLUDES that the necessary individual measures have been adopted;
DECIDES to continue to supervise the adoption of the necessary general measures concerning unjustified interferences with the right to freedom of expression in the Ghiulfer Predescu group of cases;
DECIDES to close the examination of this case.