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29/09/2023, 12:35 SANCHEZ v. FRANCE - 45581/15 (Judgment : No Article 10 - Freedom of expression-{general} : Grand Chamber) [2023] ECHR 418 (1… TABLE OF CONTENTS PROCEDURE INTRODUCTION THE FACTS THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE RELEVANT LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND PRACTICE I. DOMESTIC LAW A. Freedom of the Press Act (Law of 29 July 1881) B. Audiovisual Communication Act (Law no. 82-652 of 29 July 1982) C. The legal regime applicable to the “producer” 1. The concept of “producer” 2. Establishing the liability of the “producer” D. Other relevant domestic law material 1. Case-law of the Court of Cassation 2. Legislation subsequent to circumstances of present case II. INTERNATIONAL MATERIAL A. Communication on the Internet 1. Council of Europe 2. Other international sources B. Hate speech 1. Council of Europe (a) Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (b) Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) (c) European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) (d) Special Representative of the Secretary General on antisemitic, anti‑Muslim and other forms of religious intolerance and hate crimes 2. United Nations (a) Human Rights Council (b) Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination https://www.bailii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/2023/418.html 4/100

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Sanchez v. France (GC)

Case Law

Country

France

Country Location

Latitude: 46.808568018841505

Longitude: 2.799314618110868

Country Location (linked Case Law): France

Decision Date: 15 de mai. de 2023

Case Status: Closed

Case Outcome (Procedural)

Dismissed
Inadmissible
Motion Denied

Case Outcome (Disposition)

Judgment in Favor of Defendant

Keywords

Access to Information
Content Regulation / Censorship
Digital Rights

Judicial Body: European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)

Case Number: 45581/15

Case Summary: The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) dismissed the application brought by Mr Julien Sanchez against France for an alleged violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) by reason of the criminal conviction imposed on him by France—after he failed to remove hateful comments on his Facebook “wall”. Mr Sanchez, a politician in France and a candidate in the legislative elections, had been fined—in a criminal procedure—by French courts for failing to remove from his Facebook wall comments made by third parties that were discriminatory and incited hatred or violence against the Muslim community. The applicant argued that the fine violated his right to freedom of expression by requiring him to bear the disproportionate burden of monitoring all comments posted at any time by other users on his open and public Facebook wall. Mr Sanchez applied to the European Court of Human Rights alleging a violation of Article 10. The Fifth Section of the European Court of Human Rights held that Mr Sanchez's conviction, for failing to promptly remove unlawful comments posted by third parties on the public wall of his Facebook account, did not violate his rights under Article 10 of the ECHR. The Fifth Section of the Court held that the comments were manifestly unlawful because they discriminated against the Muslim community and that the sentence imposed by the French courts penalized him for his lack of control over a communication service open to the public which he had created on his own initiative. In that regard, it stressed that Mr Sanchez, as the owner of the wall of his Facebook account, had specific obligations to monitor and remove hateful comments. Finally, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights held —in a 13-4 votation— that Article 10 of the Convention had not been violated because, although France had interfered with the applicant’s freedom of expression, the interference was lawful and necessary in a democratic society and pursued a legitimate aim. The Grand Chamber held that it was not disproportionate to attribute shared liability—in varying degrees —to all the actors involved, including Mr Sanchez in his capacity as owner of the Facebook wall, for failing to take action in relation to the discriminatory comments. The ECtHR highlighted that the duty to act reasonably, in light of the circumstances, was greater for the applicant in his capacity as a politician, and that Mr Sanchez was aware of the controversial comments posted on his social network.

Related Caselaw (self)

Collection

CIPIT

Date Updated: 29 de set. de 2023

Primary Documents

SANCHEZ v. FRANCE - 45581_15 (Judgment _ No Article 10 - Freedom of expression-{general} _ Grand Chamber) [2023] ECHR 418 (15 May 2023).pdf
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Sanchez v. France (GC)

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