resolution DH (99) 695

HUMAN RIGHTS

APPLICATION No. 22008/93

TORRES AGAINST FRANCE

(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 3 December 1999 at the 688th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies)

The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 32 of the Convention for the Protection of H u man Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”),

Having regard to the report drawn up on 11 April 1996 by the European Commission of Human Rights in accordance with Article 31 of the Convention relating to the application lodged on 24 April 1993 by a French national, Mr Raphaël Torres, against France;

Whereas on 15 May 1996 the Commission transmitted the said report to the Committee of Ministers and whereas the period of three months provided for in Article 32, paragraph 1, of the Convention has elapsed without the case having been brought before the European Court of Human Rights in pursuance of Art i cle 48 of the Co n vention;

Whereas in his application, as declared admissible by the Commission on 19 October 1995, the applicant complained of  the excessive length of certain criminal proceedings;

Whereas in its report the Commission expressed, unanimously, the opinion that there had been a violation of Article 6, paragraph 1, of the Co n vention;

Whereas at the 576th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies, the Committee of Ministers, having voted in accordance with the provisions of Article 32, paragraph 1, of the Convention, and agreed with the opinion expressed by the Commission, held, by a decision adopted on 15 November 1996, that there had been in this case a violation of Article 6, par a graph 1, of the Convention;

Whereas the Committee of Ministers examined the proposals made by the Commission when transmitting its report as regards just satisfaction to be awarded to the applicant, proposals supplemented by a letter of the President of the Commission dated 19 October 1998;

Whereas at the 654th meeting of the Deputies, the Committee of Ministers, agreeing with the Commission’s proposals, held by a decision adopted on 25 January 1999, in  accordance with Article 32, paragraph 2, of the Convention, that the Government of the respondent State was to pay the applicant as just satisfa c tion, within three months, 70 000 French francs in respect of non-pecuniary damage and 5 000 French francs in respect of costs and expenses, namely a total sum of 75 000 French francs, and that interest should be payable on any unpaid sum, calculated on the basis of each full elapsed month of delay at the statutory rate applicable on the date of this decision, it being understood that the interest would accrue from the expiry of the time-limit until full payment was placed at the disposal of the applicant;

Whereas the Committee of Ministers invited the Government of the respondent State to inform it of the measures taken following its decisions of 15 November 1996 and 25 January 1999, having regard to France’s obligation under Art i cle 32, paragraph 4, of the Conve n tion to abide by them;

Whereas during the examination of the case by the Committee of Ministers, the Government of the respondent State accordingly indicated that the Commission’s report had been sent out to the authorities directly concerned;

Whereas the Committee of Ministers satisfied itself that on 1 April 1999, within the time-limit set, the Gover n ment of the respondent State paid the applicant the total sum of 75 000 French francs as just satisfaction,

Declares, after having taken note of the measures taken by the Government of France, that it has exercised its fun c tions under Article 32 of the Convention in this case;

Authorises the publication of the report adopted by the Commission in this case.