Convicts Win ECHR Case: Sentencing Transferred to France
Title: Three Ex-convicts in Fresnes Prison Win Lawsuit Against France at the ECHR
Introduction:
Three former inmates at Fresnes Prison in the south of Paris have recently filed a lawsuit against France at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), citing the overcrowded conditions they were subjected to during their imprisonment between 2016 and 2019. The court ruling found that their detention in a prison with an occupancy rate of 197 percent in 2019 violated Articles 3 and 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This verdict marks the second time that France has been convicted of similar violations, with the court ordering the French state to pay a fine of 46 thousand euros to the plaintiffs.
Body:
The ECHR, which had previously ruled against France in a separate case in 2020 for similar reasons, once again found the country in violation of the rights of its prisoners due to the inhumane and degrading treatment they endured. Article 3 of the ECHR clearly stipulates that no individual should be subjected to such treatment. Additionally, Article 13 of the convention guarantees the right of every individual, including those whose rights and freedoms have been violated by state authorities, to seek protection.
The overcrowding issue within French prisons has become increasingly concerning. According to data provided by the Ministry of Justice, the country’s prisons now operate at a density of 120 percent, with over 15 thousand inmates exceeding the allocated quota. The combination of overcrowding and substandard conditions has prompted a growing number of inmates to seek legal action, aiming to hold the state accountable for the violation of their fundamental rights.
The court ruling also highlighted that the convicts’ decision to bypass domestic remedies and directly apply to the ECtHR was deemed unlawful. This underscores the importance of exhausting all available avenues within the national legal system prior to resorting to international courts, as stated by the ECHR.
Conclusion:
The recent verdict by the European Court of Human Rights in favor of the three ex-convicts from Fresnes Prison has exposed France’s failure to provide its prisoners with adequate living conditions. Upholding Articles 3 and 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the court ruling emphasizes the need for the French state to address the issue of overcrowding and ensure the humane treatment of its prisoners. As overcrowding continues to be a persisting concern within the French prison system, it becomes imperative for authorities to implement necessary measures to rectify this ongoing violation of basic human rights.
