RESOLUTION DH (97) 195

HUMAN RIGHTS

APPLICATION No. 23589/94

ABBRACCIO AGAINST ITALY

(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 15 May 1997

at the 590th 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 28 February 1995 by the European Commission of Human Rights in accordance with Article 31 of the Convention relating to the application lodged on 27 May 1993 by Mr Marco Abbracio against Italy (Application No. 23589/94);

Whereas on 28 April 1995 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 Article 48 of the Convention;

Whereas in his application, declared admissible by the Commission on 7 December 1994, the applicant complained of the excessive length of certain proceedings concerning civil rights and obligations before labour courts;

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

Whereas, at the 546th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies held on 13 October 1995, the Committee of Ministers, agreeing with the opinion expressed by the Commission, held, having voted in accordance with the provisions of Article 32, paragraph 1, of the Convention, that there had been in this case a violation of Article 6, paragraph 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 15 September 1995;

Whereas, at the 549th meeting of the Deputies held on 20 November 1995, the Committee of Ministers decided, in accordance with Article 32, paragraph 2, of the Convention, that the Government of Italy was to pay the applicant as just satisfaction, within three months, 2 500 000 Italian lire in respect of non-pecuniary damage and 1 500 000 Italian lire in respect of costs and expenses, namely a total sum of 4 000 000 Italian lire;

Whereas the Committee of Ministers invited the Government of Italy to inform it of the measures taken following its decisions of 13 October 1995 and 20 November 1995, having regard to Italy’s obligation under Article 32, paragraph 4, of the Convention to abide by them;

Whereas during the examination of the case by the Committee of Ministers, the Government of Italy accordingly recalled that measures had been taken to prevent the repetition of the violation found in this case, notably through the entry into force on 30 April and 1 May 1995 of two laws restructuring the civil courts and speeding up the proceedings in civil cases (see Resolution DH (95) 82 in the case of Zanghì against Italy) and that the Commission’s report as well as the Committee of Ministers’ decisions had been sent out to the authorities directly concerned;

Whereas the Committee of Ministers satisfied itself that on 15 March 1996, the Government of Italy paid the applicant the total sum of 4 000 000 Italian lire as just satisfaction,

Declares, having taken note of the measures taken by the Government of Italy, that it has exercised its functions under Article 32 of the Convention in this case;

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