FOURTH SECTION
CASE OF ŠAIN AND OTHERS v. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
(Application no. 61620/15 and 53 others - see appended list)
JUDGMENT
STRASBOURG
17 January 2019
This judgment is final but it may be subject to editorial revision.
In the case of Šain and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina,
The European Court of Human Rights (Fourth Section), sitting as a Committee composed of:
Georges Ravarani, President,
Marko Bošnjak,
Péter Paczolay, judges,
and Liv Tigerstedt Acting Deputy Section Registrar,
Having deliberated in private on 13 December 2018,
Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date:
PROCEDURE
1. The case originated in applications against Bosnia and Herzegovina lodged with the Court under Article 34 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (“the Convention”) on the various dates indicated in the appended table.
2. The applicants were represented by Mr M. Alić, a lawyer practising in Tešanj.
3. Notice of the applications was given to the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina Government (“the Government”).
THE FACTS
4. The list of applicants and the relevant details of the applications are set out in the appended table.
5. The applicants complained of the non-enforcement or delayed enforcement of domestic decisions.
THE LAW
I. JOINDER OF THE APPLICATIONS
6. Having regard to the similar subject matter of the applications, the Court finds it appropriate to examine them jointly in a single judgment.
II. ALLEGED VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 6 § 1 OF THE CONVENTION AND OF ARTICLE 1 OF PROTOCOL No. 1
7. The applicants complained of the non-enforcement or delayed enforcement of domestic decisions given in their favour. They relied, expressly or in substance, on Article 6 § 1 of the Convention and on Article 1 of Protocol No. 1, which read as follows:
Article 6 § 1
“In the determination of his civil rights and obligations ... everyone is entitled to a fair ... hearing ... by [a] ... tribunal ...”
Article 1 of Protocol No. 1
“Every natural or legal person is entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of his possessions. No one shall be deprived of his possessions except in the public interest and subject to the conditions provided for by law and by the general principles of international law.
The preceding provisions shall not, however, in any way impair the right of a State to enforce such laws as it deems necessary to control the use of property in accordance with the general interest or to secure the payment of taxes or other contributions or penalties.”
8. The Court reiterates that the execution of a judgment given by any court must be regarded as an integral part of a “hearing” for the purposes of Article 6. It also refers to its case-law concerning the non-enforcement or delayed enforcement of final domestic judgments (see Hornsby v. Greece, no. 18357/91, § 40, Reports of Judgments and Decisions 1997‑II).
9. In the leading cases of Spahić and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, nos. 20514/15 and 15 others, §§ 25-31, 14 November 2017, and Kunić and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, nos. 68955/12 and 15 others, §§ 26-31, 14 November 2017, the Court already found a violation in respect of issues similar to those in the present case.
10. The Court further notes that the decisions in the present applications ordered specific action to be taken. The Court therefore considers that the decisions in question constitute “possessions” within the meaning of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1.
11. Having examined all the material submitted to it, the Court has not found any fact or argument capable of persuading it to reach a different conclusion on the admissibility and merits of these complaints. Having regard to its case-law on the subject, the Court considers that in the instant case the authorities did not deploy all necessary efforts to enforce fully and in due time the decisions in the applicants’ favour.
12. These complaints are therefore admissible and disclose a breach of Article 6 § 1 of the Convention and Article 1 of Protocol No. 1.
III. APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 41 OF THE CONVENTION
13. Article 41 of the Convention provides:
“If the Court finds that there has been a violation of the Convention or the Protocols thereto, and if the internal law of the High Contracting Party concerned allows only partial reparation to be made, the Court shall, if necessary, afford just satisfaction to the injured party.”
14. Regard being had to the documents in its possession and to its case‑law (see, in particular, Spahić and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, nos. 20514/15 and 15 others, §§ 36-43, 14 November 2017, and Kunić and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, nos. 68955/12 and 15 others, §§ 37-46, 14 November 2017), the Court considers it reasonable to award the sums indicated in the appended table.
15. The Court further notes that the respondent State has an outstanding obligation to enforce the judgments which remain enforceable.
16. The Court considers it appropriate that the default interest rate should be based on the marginal lending rate of the European Central Bank, to which should be added three percentage points.
FOR THESE REASONS, THE COURT, UNANIMOUSLY,
1. Decides to join the applications;
2. Declares the applications admissible;
3. Holds that these applications disclose a breach of Article 6 § 1 of the Convention and Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 concerning the non‑enforcement or delayed enforcement of domestic decisions;
4. Holds that the respondent State shall ensure, by appropriate means, within three months, the enforcement of the pending domestic decisions referred to in the appended table;
5. Holds
(a) that the respondent State is to pay the applicants, within three months, the amounts indicated in the appended table, to be converted into the currency of the respondent State at the rate applicable at the date of settlement;
(b) that from the expiry of the above-mentioned three months until settlement simple interest shall be payable on the above amounts at a rate equal to the marginal lending rate of the European Central Bank during the default period plus three percentage points.
Done in English, and notified in writing on 17 January 2019, pursuant to Rule 77 §§ 2 and 3 of the Rules of Court.
Liv TigerstedtGeorges Ravarani
Acting Deputy RegistrarPresident
APPENDIX
List of applications raising complaints under Article 6 § 1 of the Convention and Article 1 of the Protocol No. 1
(non-enforcement or delayed enforcement of domestic decisions)
No.
Application no.
Date of introduction
Applicant’s name
Date of birth
Relevant domestic decision
Start date of non-enforcement period or date of entry into force of the Convention in respect of Bosnia and Herzegovina (12 July 2002)
End date of non‑enforcement period Length of enforcement proceedings
Amount awarded for non-pecuniary damage per applicant
(in euros)[1]
Amount awarded for costs and expenses per application
(in euros)[2]
61620/15
04/12/2015
Stjepan Šain
30/09/1979
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
61621/15
04/12/2015
Mladenka Šain
29/12/1981
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
61624/15
04/12/2015
Elvedin Kozlo
27/09/1971
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
61631/15
04/12/2015
Faruk Berbić
17/12/1973
Zenica First Intance Court, 29/09/2006
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
61635/15
04/12/2015
Mirnesa Kulović
11/04/1972
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
30/10/2008
25/02/2009
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 29 day(s)
1,000
350
61640/15
04/12/2015
Drago Ćorić
28/01/1961
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
17/11/2008
19/03/2009
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 4 day(s)
1,000
350
61644/15
04/12/2015
Mario Zakušek
06/10/1978
Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/12/2013
30/01/2014
pending
More than 4 year(s) and 9 month(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
61648/15
04/12/2015
Sakib Kikić
14/02/1968
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/12/2013
30/10/2008
30/01/2014
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
pending
More than 4 year(s) and 9 month(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
61652/15
04/12/2015
Nijaz Hardauš
13/05/1971
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
Zenica First Instance Court, 07/12/2012
30/10/2008
18/11/2008
21/10/2013
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 5 day(s)
pending
More than 5 year(s) and 1 month(s) and 2 day(s)
1,000
350
7029/16
29/01/2016
Fadil Čolak
01/04/1971
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
7033/16
29/01/2016
Šaban Kobilica
13/03/1957
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
7036/16
29/01/2016
Damir Hrustić
31/10/1973
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
7039/16
29/01/2016
Osman Kićo
25/01/1975
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
7043/16
29/01/2016
Mukades Lopo
16/11/1974
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
7045/16
29/01/2016
Edin Habibović
02/09/1971
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
7048/16
29/01/2016
Amir Lušija
03/01/1970
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
7062/16
29/01/2016
Mijo Šain
20/02/1953
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/09/2006
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
7063/16
29/01/2016
Elvedin Lopo
10/09/1968
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
14630/16
29/02/2016
Majda Jovičić
21/07/1966
Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010
Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014
13/12/2011
17/03/2015
pending
More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)
pending
More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
14632/16
29/02/2016
Hamzalija Kaloševac
01/08/1961
Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010
Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014
13/12/2011
17/03/2015
pending
More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)
pending
More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
14634/16
29/02/2016
Edina Ajanović
17/12/1967
Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010
Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014
13/12/2011
17/03/2015
pending
More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)
pending
More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
14635/16
29/02/2016
Emina Bilić
10/11/1977
Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010
Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014
13/12/2011
17/03/2015
pending
More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)
pending
More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
14638/16
29/02/2016
Delveta Avdić
10/01/1962
Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010
Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014
13/12/2011
17/03/2015
pending
More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)
pending
More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
14640/16
29/02/2016
Nermina Mahmutović
17/08/1980
Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010
Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014
13/12/2011
17/03/2015
pending
More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)
pending
More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
21723/16
12/04/2016
Elvir Hrusto
05/12/1971
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
17/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
21731/16
12/04/2016
Adnan Begovac
03/07/1972
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
17/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
21738/16
12/04/2016
Ibro Begić
11/01/1972
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
17/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
21966/16
12/04/2016
Jasmina Nokto
22/12/1965
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
21971/16
12/04/2016
Mensudin Brkić
26/10/1968
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
22089/16
12/04/2016
Faruk Silajdžić
05/12/1967
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
05/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)
1,000
350
22102/16
12/04/2016
Grga Hrgota
17/09/1974
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
17/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
22108/16
12/04/2016
Dragica Čulum
07/02/1951
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
17/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
22109/16
12/04/2016
Tamara Delibašić
29/11/1973
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
05/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)
1,000
350
22110/16
12/04/2016
Huso Duraković
01/01/1976
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
23532/16
22/04/2016
Mandica Šain
02/08/1963
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
30/10/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
23726/16
22/04/2016
Indira Hardauš
31/08/1970
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
17/11/2008
19/06/2009
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 5 month(s) and 4 day(s)
1,000
350
23727/16
22/04/2016
Almir Subašić
01/07/1970
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
05/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)
1,000
350
23728/16
22/04/2016
Hamida Vekić
09/05/1956
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
05/11/2008
15/12/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 8 day(s)
1,000
350
23732/16
22/04/2016
Džafer Smaka
10/01/1968
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
17/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
24391/16
22/04/2016
Emsad Begić
09/03/1968
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
17/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)
1,000
350
24393/16
22/04/2016
Milica Tubić
02/12/1958
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
05/11/2008
15/12/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 8 day(s)
1,000
350
24419/16
22/04/2016
Mahira Letić
05/05/1970
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
30/10/2008
09/04/2010
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
pending
More than 8 year(s) and 7 month(s) and 14 day(s)
1,000
350
24559/16
22/04/2016
Fadil Kubat
04/01/1963
Zenica First Intance Court, 29/12/2006
10/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 13 day(s)
1,000
350
24564/16
22/04/2016
Emira Čaluk
19/11/1977
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
05/11/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)
1,000
350
39661/16
30/06/2016
Jasmin Tulić
29/04/1966
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/10/2013
05/11/2008
20/03/2009
09/12/2013
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 3 day(s)
pending
More than 4 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 14 day(s)
1,000
350
39772/16
30/06/2016
Mirnes Selimović
16/01/1971
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/12/2013
30/10/2008
30/01/2014
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
pending
More than 4 year(s) and 9 month(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
39879/16
30/06/2016
Mijo Tomić
15/03/1966
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
05/11/2008
16/12/2008
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 7 day(s)
1,000
350
39882/16
30/06/2016
Tomislav Tomić
20/12/1964
Zenica First Intance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
17/11/2008
25/02/2009
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 29 day(s)
1,000
350
39900/16
30/06/2016
Elvedin Mušinović
12/11/1971
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/12/2013
30/10/2008
30/01/2014
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
pending
More than 4 year(s) and 9 month(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
39903/16
30/06/2016
Jozo Jozanović
29/03/1965
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/10/2013
05/11/2008
19/06/2009
09/12/2013
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 5 month(s) and 4 day(s)
pending
More than 4 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 14 day(s)
1,000
350
39913/16
30/06/2016
Dano Ćorić
30/04/1968
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/10/2013
17/11/2008
23/06/2009
09/12/2013
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 5 month(s)
pending
More than 4 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 14 day(s)
1,000
350
39917/16
30/06/2016
Elvis Fejzić
24/05/1973
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/10/2013
05/11/2008
16/12/2008
09/12/2013
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 7 day(s)
pending
More than 4 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 14 day(s)
1,000
350
39924/16
30/06/2016
Nusret Talić
07/04/1971
Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006
Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007
Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/10/2013
30/10/2008
29/12/2008
09/12/2013
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
pending
More than 9 year(s) and 10 month(s) and 25 day(s)
pending
More than 4 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 14 day(s)
1,000
350
39949/16
30/06/2016
Senad Gadžun
17/10/1969
Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008
Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/12/2013
30/10/2008
30/01/2014
pending
More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)
pending
More than 4 year(s) and 9 month(s) and 24 day(s)
1,000
350
[1]. Plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicants.
[2]. Plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicants.
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