Today, the Supreme Court acquitted a second young person who had protested in Freedom Square in 2023 against the killing of Palestinian civilians. Once again, the court concluded that the phrase “from the river to the sea” was not, at that time, commonly understood by the average Estonian as a statement supporting a terrorist organisation. The Estonian Human Rights Centre and attorney-at-law Ronald Riistan from the law firm Syndicate Legal, who represented the young people, welcome the decision of Estonia’s highest court.
EHRC decided to support the young people in bringing the case to court because it raises important questions about the limits of freedom of expression in Estonia. In a state that respects human rights, criminal restrictions on free speech must be foreseeable. The Supreme Court reached the same conclusion as EHRC: at the time of the protest, it was not commonly known that using the phrase “from the river to the sea” could result in a fine in Estonia.
“The Estonian Human Rights Centre stands firmly for democracy and the rule of law,” said EHRC’s Director, Egert Rünne. “Since it is impossible to imagine a functioning democratic society without freedom of expression, any restriction must be justified, clear, and proportionate. Restrictions should certainly not depend on the personal feelings or opinions of whichever official happens to be on duty.”
EHRC’s strategic litigation is funded by donations. A record number of donors showed that people in Estonia believe in human rights and value the rule of law. EHRC sincerely thanks all supporters, donors, and those who stood with us!
Read the Supreme Court’s decision.
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