European Court of Human Rights Upholds Latvia's Restrictions on Russia-Supporting Demonstrations

Strategic Insights -

In a 10 July 2025 judgment, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Latvia's prohibition on the association "Rodina" and A. Borisova to organize a march and a picket on 9 May and 23 September 2014 was justified and proportionate. The applicants had alleged that their rights guaranteed by Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms had been restricted by the prohibition. However, the Court found that the restriction was prescribed by law, pursued a legitimate aim, and was necessary in a democratic society.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Latvia's prohibition on the association "Rodina" and A. Borisova to organize a march and a picket on 9 May and 23 September 2014 was justified and proportionate.
  • The Court found that the restriction was prescribed by law, pursued a legitimate aim, and was necessary in a democratic society.
  • The association "Rodina" had planned to organize a "Russian march" on 9 May 2014, while A. Borisova had planned to organize a picket at the Ukrainian Embassy on 23 September 2014, with the declared aim of supporting "Russian schools" and opposing the armed conflict in Ukraine.
  • However, the competent authorities and courts of Latvia concluded that the purpose of the events was actually to support Russia's military actions in eastern Ukraine, spread war propaganda, and support Russia and Russian violations.
  • The Court highlighted the domestic courts' scrupulous assessment of all the circumstances of the planned events and the persons involved.
  • The Court noted that although the applicants were prevented from organizing the meetings and marches, the associations themselves were not banned or liquidated.
  • The Court concluded that the ban on holding those meetings and the marches had been justified and proportionate in accordance with Article 43 of the Convention.

Statistics:

  • 9 May 2014: Date of the planned march and procession by the association "Rodina"
  • 23 September 2014: Date of the planned picket by A. Borisova
  • 10 July 2025: Date of the European Court of Human Rights' judgment
  • 3 months: Time period for the judgment to enter into force unless either party requests that it be examined by the Grand Chamber of the Court.

Sources:

  • European Court of Human Rights, Judgment of 10 July 2025, Cases of Rodina and Borisova v. Latvia.
  • Law "On Assemblies, Processions and Pickets" of Latvia.