ECHR rules Switzerland violated freedom of expression for Le Courrier newspaper

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled against Switzerland, finding that the country violated the freedom of expression of the Geneva-based newspaper Le Courrier. The judgment stems from a complaint filed by the newspaper concerning a 2015 article that discussed businessman Jean Claude Gandur's oil trading activities in Africa.

Gandur had filed civil and criminal complaints 11 years ago following the publication of the portrait, which was part of a discussion regarding the expansion of Geneva's Museum of Art and History (MAH). Although Gandur initially won his case on appeal and before the Swiss Federal Tribunal, Le Courrier contested the ruling before the ECHR four years ago.

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This is a historic decision.

The ECHR's decision condemns Switzerland to pay Le Courrier 52,600 euros (approximately 48,450 Swiss francs) for costs and expenses, as well as an additional 4,000 euros (nearly 3,700 francs) for moral damages. The newspaper hailed the decision as "historic," anticipating that it will have global repercussions for freedom of expression in Switzerland, particularly within the media landscape.

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This judgment will have global repercussions for freedom of expression in Switzerland, particularly in the media.