European Convention on Human Rights

ECHR - Article 10: Expression

Article 10 – expression

Main article: Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights

Article 10 provides the right to freedom of expression, subject to certain restrictions that are "in accordance with law" and "necessary in a democratic society". This right includes the freedom to hold opinions, and to receive and impart information and ideas, but allows restrictions for:

· interests of national security

· territorial integrity or public safety

· prevention of disorder or crime

· protection of health or morals

· protection of the reputation or the rights of others

· preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence

· maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary

Relevant cases are:

· Lingens v Austria (1986) 8 EHRR 407

· The Observer and The Guardian v United Kingdom (1991) 14 EHRR 153, the "Spycatcher" case.

· Bowman v United Kingdom [1998] ECHR 4, (1998) 26 EHRR 1, distributing vast quantities of anti-abortion material in contravention of election spending laws

· Communist Party v Turkey (1998) 26 EHRR 1211

· Appleby v United Kingdom (2003) 37 EHRR 38, protests in a private shopping mall