Commentary to the Judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in the Case of Sekmadienis Ltd. V. Lithuania (Application No. 69317/14)

Abstract

The subject matter of the commentary is the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights issued on 30 January 2018 in the case of Sekmadienis Ltd. against Lithuania. ECHR found that imposition of a fine in connection with advertising campaign in which used an object of religious worship for commercial purposes was a violation of art. 10 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. In the Court’s view, the fine imposed on the applicant company was an interference with its freedom of speech. Although this interference pursued a legitimate aim and it was provided for in national law, it had violated balance between, the protection of public morals and the rights of religious people and the right to freedom of expression.