ALOIS AND HERTHA WIENINGER AGAINST AUSTRIA
Doc ref: 12650/87 • ECHR ID: 001-49594
Document date: October 19, 1995
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The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 32
(art. 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 by the European
Commission of Human Rights in accordance with Article 31 (art. 31)
of the Convention relating to the application lodged on
12 December 1986 by Mr Alois Wieninger and Mrs Hertha Wieninger
against Austria (Application No. 12650/87);
Whereas on 11 March 1994 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 (art. 32-1),
of the Convention has elapsed without the case having been brought
before the European Court of Human Rights in pursuance of
Article 48 (art. 48) of the Convention;
Whereas in their application, as declared admissible by the
Commission on 31 May 1991, the applicants complained that a certain
provisional redistribution of land in the context of land
consolidation proceedings constituted an unjustified interference
with their right to the peaceful enjoyment of their possessions;
Whereas in its report adopted on 11 January 1994 the
Commission expressed, unanimously, the opinion that there had been
a violation of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1);
Whereas, at the 517th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies held
on 21 September 1994, 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
(art. 32-1), of the Convention, that there had been in this case a
violation of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1) to 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 applicants, proposals
supplemented by a letter of the President of the Commission dated
13 April 1995;
Whereas, at the 539th meeting of the Deputies held on
7 June 1995, the Committee of Ministers decided, in accordance with
Article 32, paragraph 2 (art. 32-2), of the Convention, that the
Government of Austria was to pay the applicants as just
satisfaction 90 000 Austrian shillings for non-pecuniary damage and
for costs and expenses;
Whereas the Committee of Ministers invited the Government of
Austria to inform it of the measures taken following its decisions
of 21 September 1994 and 7 June 1995, having regard to Austria's
obligation under Article 32, paragraph 4 (art. 32-4), of the
Convention to abide by them;
Whereas, during the examination of the case by the Committee
of Ministers, the Government of Austria gave the Committee
information about the measures taken in consequence of the
Committee's decisions, which information appears in the appendix to
this resolution;
Whereas the Committee of Ministers satisfied itself that,
within the time-limit set, the Government of Austria paid the
applicants the total sum of 90 000 Austrian shillings as just
satisfaction,
Declares, having taken note of the measures taken by the
Government of Austria that it has exercised its functions under
Article 32 (art. 32) of the Convention in this case,
Authorises the publication of the report of the Commission in
this case.
Appendix to Resolution DH (95) 216
Information provided by the Government of Austria
during the examination of the case of Alois and Hertha Wieninger
by the Committee of Ministers
Article 10 of the Federal Agricultural Land Planning (General
Principles) Act (Flurverfassungs-Grundsatzgesetz 1951), as amended
on 1 January 1994 (BGBl Nr. 903/1993), has introduced a general
right to compensation in land consolidation cases (see also, inter
alia, Resolution DH (94) 22 in the case of Erkner and Hofauer).
According to the new provision a landowner who considers that he
has suffered a loss on account of an unlawful provisional
redistribution of land can submit a claim for compensation to the
Provincial Land Reform Board (Landesagrarsenat) within one month of
the entry into force (formeller Rechtskraft) of the consolidation
plan (Zusammenlegungsplan).
Compensation claims can not be dealt with before the entry
into force of the consolidation plan as the lawfulness of the
provisional measure can only be assessed with reference to this
plan. The legislative amendments made over the last years have,
however, simplified and speeded up the proceedings in land
consolidation cases so as to minimise the time between the
provisional redistribution of land and the entry into force of the
consolidation plan.
In view of these reforms the Government of Austria is of the
opinion that there is no risk of repetition of the violation found
in the present case and that it has, accordingly, complied with
Austria's obligations under Article 32 (art. 32) of the Convention.