How to complain if you believe that your freedom of expression has been unlawfully restricted?
Any measures or sanctions that restrict your freedom of expression must only be taken if they are:
- provided in law
- necessary to achieve a legitimate aim: the protection of the private life of others
- proportionate
If the court, law enforcement or other institution has issued restrictions on your freedom of expression which are not based on one of the criteria mentioned above, your right may have been violated:
Appeal
The unlawful restriction of your freedom of expression may be related to the court’s mistake in applying the law. For example, in restricting your freedom of expression, the court may fail to assess and take into account the public interest in the information you have made public. In such cases, you may appeal the decision of the court of first instance to a higher court. If the higher court dismisses your appeal, you may submit a complaint to the Supreme Court, the decision of which is final.
If your complaint has been dismissed by the Supreme Court, you may submit a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights.