SAIN AND OTHERS v. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - 61620/15 (Judgment : Article 6 - Right to a fair trial : Fourth Section Committee) [2019] ECHR 54 (17 January 2019)

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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> European Court of Human Rights >> SAIN AND OTHERS v. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - 61620/15 (Judgment : Article 6 - Right to a fair trial : Fourth Section Committee) [2019] ECHR 54 (17 January 2019)
URL: http://www.bailii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/2019/54.html
Cite as: CE:ECHR:2019:0117JUD006162015, ECLI:CE:ECHR:2019:0117JUD006162015, [2019] ECHR 54

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FOURTH SECTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASE OF ŠAIN AND OTHERS v. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

(Application no. 61620/15and 53 others - see appended list )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUDGMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STRASBOURG

 

17 January 2019

 

 

 

This judgment is final but it may be subject to editorial revision.


In the case of Šain and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina,

The European Court of Human Rights (Fourth Section), sitting as a Committee composed of:

Georges Ravarani, President,
Marko Bošnjak,
Péter Paczolay, judges,
and Liv Tigerstedt Acting Deputy Section Registrar,

Having deliberated in private on 13 December 2018,

Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date:

PROCEDURE

1. The case originated in applications against Bosnia and Herzegovina lodged with the Court under Article 34 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms ("the Convention") on the various dates indicated in the appended table.

2. The applicants were represented by Mr M. Alić, a lawyer practising in Tešanj.

3. Notice of the applications was given to the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina Government ("the Government").

THE FACTS

4. The list of applicants and the relevant details of the applications are set out in the appended table.

5. The applicants complained of the non-enforcement or delayed enforcement of domestic decisions.

THE LAW

I. JOINDER OF THE APPLICATIONS

6. Having regard to the similar subject matter of the applications, the Court finds it appropriate to examine them jointly in a single judgment.

II. ALLEGED VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 6 § 1 OF THE CONVENTION AND OF ARTICLE 1 OF PROTOCOL No. 1

7. The applicants complained of the non-enforcement or delayed enforcement of domestic decisions given in their favour. They relied, expressly or in substance, on Article 6 § 1 of the Convention and on Article 1 of Protocol No. 1, which read as follows:

Article 6 § 1

"In the determination of his civil rights and obligations ... everyone is entitled to a fair ... hearing ... by [a] ... tribunal ..."

Article 1 of Protocol No. 1

"Every natural or legal person is entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of his possessions. No one shall be deprived of his possessions except in the public interest and subject to the conditions provided for by law and by the general principles of international law.

The preceding provisions shall not, however, in any way impair the right of a State to enforce such laws as it deems necessary to control the use of property in accordance with the general interest or to secure the payment of taxes or other contributions or penalties."

8. The Court reiterates that the execution of a judgment given by any court must be regarded as an integral part of a "hearing" for the purposes of Article 6. It also refers to its case-law concerning the non-enforcement or delayed enforcement of final domestic judgments (see Hornsby v. Greece , no. 18357/91, § 40, Reports of Judgments and Decisions 1997-II).

9. In the leading cases of Spahić and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, nos. 20514/15and 15 others, §§ 25-31, 14 November 2017, and Kunić and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, nos. 68955/12and 15 others, §§ 26-31, 14 November 2017, the Court already found a violation in respect of issues similar to those in the present case.

10. The Court further notes that the decisions in the present applications ordered specific action to be taken. The Court therefore considers that the decisions in question constitute "possessions" within the meaning of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1.

11. Having examined all the material submitted to it, the Court has not found any fact or argument capable of persuading it to reach a different conclusion on the admissibility and merits of these complaints. Having regard to its case-law on the subject, the Court considers that in the instant case the authorities did not deploy all necessary efforts to enforce fully and in due time the decisions in the applicants' favour.

12. These complaints are therefore admissible and disclose a breach of Article 6 § 1 of the Convention and Article 1 of Protocol No. 1.

III. APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 41 OF THE CONVENTION

13. Article 41 of the Convention provides:

"If the Court finds that there has been a violation of the Convention or the Protocols thereto, and if the internal law of the High Contracting Party concerned allows only partial reparation to be made, the Court shall, if necessary, afford just satisfaction to the injured party."

14. Regard being had to the documents in its possession and to its case-law (see, in particular, Spahić and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, nos. 20514/15and 15 others, §§ 36-43, 14 November 2017, and Kunić and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, nos. 68955/12and 15 others, §§ 37-46, 14 November 2017), the Court considers it reasonable to award the sums indicated in the appended table.

15. The Court further notes that the respondent State has an outstanding obligation to enforce the judgments which remain enforceable.

16. The Court considers it appropriate that the default interest rate should be based on the marginal lending rate of the European Central Bank, to which should be added three percentage points.

FOR THESE REASONS, THE COURT, UNANIMOUSLY,

1. Decides to join the applications;

 

2. Declares the applications admissible;

 

3. Holds that these applications disclose a breach of Article 6 § 1 of the Convention and Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 concerning the non-enforcement or delayed enforcement of domestic decisions;

 

4. Holds that the respondent State shall ensure, by appropriate means, within three months, the enforcement of the pending domestic decisions referred to in the appended table;

 

5. Holds

(a) that the respondent State is to pay the applicants, within three months, the amounts indicated in the appended table, to be converted into the currency of the respondent State at the rate applicable at the date of settlement;

(b) that from the expiry of the above-mentioned three months until settlement simple interest shall be payable on the above amounts at a rate equal to the marginal lending rate of the European Central Bank during the default period plus three percentage points.

Done in English, and notified in writing on 17 January 2019, pursuant to Rule 77 §§ 2 and 3 of the Rules of Court.

Liv Tigerstedt Georges Ravarani
              Acting Deputy Registrar President


APPENDIX

List of applications raising complaints under Article 6 § 1 of the Convention and Article 1 of the Protocol No. 1
(non-enforcement or delayed enforcement of domestic decisions)

No.

Application no.

Date of introduction

Applicant's name

Date of birth

 

Relevant domestic decision

Start date of non-enforcement period or date of entry into force of the Convention in respect of Bosnia and Herzegovina (12 July 2002)

End date of non-enforcement period Length of enforcement proceedings

Amount awarded for non-pecuniary damage per applicant

(in euros) [1]

 

Amount awarded for costs and expenses per application

(in euros) [2]

  1.    

61620/15

04/12/2015

Stjepan Šain

30/09/1979

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.    

61621/15

04/12/2015

Mladenka Šain

29/12/1981

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.    

61624/15

04/12/2015

Elvedin Kozlo

27/09/1971

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.    

61631/15

04/12/2015

Faruk Berbić

17/12/1973

Zenica First Intance Court, 29/09/2006

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.    

61635/15

04/12/2015

Mirnesa Kulović

11/04/1972

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

30/10/2008

 

 

 

25/02/2009

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 29 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.    

61640/15

04/12/2015

Drago Ćorić

28/01/1961

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

17/11/2008

 

 

 

19/03/2009

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 4 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.    

61644/15

04/12/2015

Mario Zakušek

06/10/1978

Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/12/2013

 

30/01/2014

 

pending

More than 4 year(s) and 9 month(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.    

61648/15

04/12/2015

Sakib Kikić

14/02/1968

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/12/2013

 

30/10/2008

 

 

 

30/01/2014

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

pending

More than 4 year(s) and 9 month(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.    

61652/15

04/12/2015

Nijaz Hardauš

13/05/1971

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

Zenica First Instance Court, 07/12/2012

 

30/10/2008

 

 

 

18/11/2008

 

 

 

21/10/2013

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 5 day(s)

 

pending

More than 5 year(s) and 1 month(s) and 2 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

7029/16

29/01/2016

Fadil Čolak

01/04/1971

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

7033/16

29/01/2016

Šaban Kobilica

13/03/1957

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

7036/16

29/01/2016

Damir Hrustić

31/10/1973

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

7039/16

29/01/2016

Osman Kićo

25/01/1975

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

7043/16

29/01/2016

Mukades Lopo

16/11/1974

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

7045/16

29/01/2016

Edin Habibović

02/09/1971

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

7048/16

29/01/2016

Amir Lušija

03/01/1970

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

7062/16

29/01/2016

Mijo Šain

20/02/1953

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/09/2006

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

7063/16

29/01/2016

Elvedin Lopo

10/09/1968

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

14630/16

29/02/2016

Majda Jovičić

21/07/1966

Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010

 

Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014

 

13/12/2011

 

 

 

17/03/2015

 

pending

More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)

 

pending

More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

14632/16

29/02/2016

Hamzalija Kaloševac

01/08/1961

Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010

 

Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014

 

13/12/2011

 

 

 

17/03/2015

 

pending

More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)

 

pending

More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

14634/16

29/02/2016

Edina Ajanović

17/12/1967

Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010

 

Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014

 

13/12/2011

 

 

 

17/03/2015

 

pending

More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)

 

pending

More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

14635/16

29/02/2016

Emina Bilić

10/11/1977

Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010

 

Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014

 

13/12/2011

 

 

 

17/03/2015

 

pending

More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)

 

pending

More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

14638/16

29/02/2016

Delveta Avdić

10/01/1962

Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010

 

Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014

 

13/12/2011

 

 

 

17/03/2015

 

pending

More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)

 

pending

More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

14640/16

29/02/2016

Nermina Mahmutović

17/08/1980

Tešanj First Instance Court, 19/05/2010

 

Tešanj First Instance Court, 14/02/2014

 

13/12/2011

 

 

 

17/03/2015

 

pending

More than 6 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 10 day(s)

 

pending

More than 3 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

21723/16

12/04/2016

Elvir Hrusto

05/12/1971

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

17/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

21731/16

12/04/2016

Adnan Begovac

03/07/1972

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

17/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

21738/16

12/04/2016

Ibro Begić

11/01/1972

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

17/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

21966/16

12/04/2016

Jasmina Nokto

22/12/1965

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

21971/16

12/04/2016

Mensudin Brkić

26/10/1968

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

22089/16

12/04/2016

Faruk Silajdžić

05/12/1967

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

05/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

22102/16

12/04/2016

Grga Hrgota

17/09/1974

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

17/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

22108/16

12/04/2016

Dragica Čulum

07/02/1951

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

17/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

22109/16

12/04/2016

Tamara Delibašić

29/11/1973

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

05/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

22110/16

12/04/2016

Huso Duraković

01/01/1976

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

23532/16

22/04/2016

Mandica Šain

02/08/1963

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

30/10/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

23726/16

22/04/2016

Indira Hardauš

31/08/1970

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

17/11/2008

 

 

 

19/06/2009

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 5 month(s) and 4 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

23727/16

22/04/2016

Almir Subašić

01/07/1970

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

05/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

23728/16

22/04/2016

Hamida Vekić

09/05/1956

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

05/11/2008

 

 

 

15/12/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 8 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

23732/16

22/04/2016

Džafer Smaka

10/01/1968

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

17/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

24391/16

22/04/2016

Emsad Begić

09/03/1968

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

17/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

24393/16

22/04/2016

Milica Tubić

02/12/1958

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

05/11/2008

 

 

 

15/12/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 8 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

24419/16

22/04/2016

Mahira Letić

05/05/1970

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

30/10/2008

 

 

 

09/04/2010

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

pending

More than 8 year(s) and 7 month(s) and 14 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

24559/16

22/04/2016

Fadil Kubat

04/01/1963

Zenica First Intance Court, 29/12/2006

 

10/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 13 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

24564/16

22/04/2016

Emira Čaluk

19/11/1977

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

05/11/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

39661/16

30/06/2016

Jasmin Tulić

29/04/1966

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/10/2013

 

05/11/2008

 

 

 

20/03/2009

 

 

 

09/12/2013

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 3 day(s)

 

pending

More than 4 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 14 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

39772/16

30/06/2016

Mirnes Selimović

16/01/1971

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/12/2013

 

30/10/2008

 

 

 

30/01/2014

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

pending

More than 4 year(s) and 9 month(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

39879/16

30/06/2016

Mijo Tomić

15/03/1966

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

05/11/2008

 

 

 

16/12/2008

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 7 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

39882/16

30/06/2016

Tomislav Tomić

20/12/1964

Zenica First Intance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

17/11/2008

 

 

 

25/02/2009

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 8 month(s) and 29 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

39900/16

30/06/2016

Elvedin Mušinović

12/11/1971

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/12/2013

 

30/10/2008

 

 

 

30/01/2014

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

pending

More than 4 year(s) and 9 month(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

39903/16

30/06/2016

Jozo Jozanović

29/03/1965

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/10/2013

 

05/11/2008

 

 

 

19/06/2009

 

 

 

09/12/2013

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 5 month(s) and 4 day(s)

 

pending

More than 4 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 14 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

39913/16

30/06/2016

Dano Ćorić

30/04/1968

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/10/2013

 

17/11/2008

 

 

 

23/06/2009

 

 

 

09/12/2013

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 6 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 5 month(s)

 

pending

More than 4 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 14 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

39917/16

30/06/2016

Elvis Fejzić

24/05/1973

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/10/2013

 

05/11/2008

 

 

 

16/12/2008

 

 

 

09/12/2013

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 18 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 7 day(s)

 

pending

More than 4 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 14 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

39924/16

30/06/2016

Nusret Talić

07/04/1971

Zenica First Instance Court, 29/12/2006

 

Kakanj First Instance Court, 26/10/2007

 

Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/10/2013

 

30/10/2008

 

 

 

29/12/2008

 

 

 

09/12/2013

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

pending

More than 9 year(s) and 10 month(s) and 25 day(s)

 

pending

More than 4 year(s) and 11 month(s) and 14 day(s)

 

1,000

350

  1.  

39949/16

30/06/2016

Senad Gadžun

17/10/1969

Zenica Cantonal Court, 05/06/2008

 

Zenica Cantonal Court, 02/12/2013

 

30/10/2008

 

 

 

30/01/2014

 

pending

More than 10 year(s) and 24 day(s)

 

pending

More than 4 year(s) and 9 month(s) and 24 day(s)

 

1,000

350

 


[1] . Plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicants.

[2] . Plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicants.


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URL: http://www.bailii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/2019/54.html