INTERIM RESOLUTION DH (97) 663

HUMAN RIGHTS

APPLICATION No. 22531/93

MANTEL AND MANTEL HOLLAND BEHEER B.V. AGAINST THE NETHERLANDS (Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 15 December 1997 at the 610th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 32 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention"),

Having regard to the report drawn up on 9 April 1997 by the European Commission of Human Rights, in accordance with Article 31 of the Convention, relating to the application lodged on 13 July 1993 by Mr Arie Mantel and the company Mantel Holland Beheer B.V. against the Netherlands (Application No. 22531/93);

Whereas on 13 May 1997 the Commission transmitted the said report to the Committee of Ministers and whereas the case has not been referred to the European Court of Human Rights, either by the Commission or by a State entitled to do so under Article 48 of the Convention, within the time-limit of three months from the transmission of the report to the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers; considering, however, that within this time-limit, the applicants seized the Court in accordance with Protocol No. 9 but that the screening panel of the Court decided on 15 September 1997 that this case would not be considered by the Court; whereas the Committee of Ministers is therefore now called upon to take a decision in accordance with Article 32 of the Convention and with Article 48 of the Convention as amended by Article 5 of Protocol No. 9 for those States having ratified the latter;

Whereas in their application, declared admissible by the Commission on 15 May 1996, the applicants complained of the excessive length of the criminal proceedings instituted against them;

Whereas in its report the Commission expressed, by thirteen votes to one, the opinion that there had been a violation of Article 6, paragraph 1, of the Convention;

Whereas, at the 610th 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 decision adopted on 15 December 1997, that there had been in this case a violation of Article 6, paragraph 1, of the Convention,

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

Decides to pursue the examination of the present case, in accordance with Article 32 of the Convention with a view to adopting the final resolution.