{"id":21182,"date":"2023-09-21T08:51:25","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T08:51:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laweuro.com\/?p=21182"},"modified":"2023-09-21T08:51:43","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T08:51:43","slug":"case-of-moldovan-and-others-v-romania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laweuro.com\/?p=21182","title":{"rendered":"CASE OF MOLDOVAN AND OTHERS v. ROMANIA – 45619\/16 and 13 others"},"content":{"rendered":"

The applicants complained of the inadequate conditions of their detention.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

FOURTH SECTION
\nCASE OF MOLDOVAN AND OTHERS v. ROMANIA<\/strong>
\n(Applications nos. 45619\/16 and 13 others \u2013 see appended list)<\/em>
\nJUDGMENT
\nSTRASBOURG
\n21 September 2023<\/p>\n

This judgment is final but it may be subject to editorial revision.<\/p>\n

In the case of Moldovan and Others v. Romania,<\/strong><\/p>\n

The European Court of Human Rights (Fourth Section), sitting as a Committee composed of:
\nFaris Vehabovi\u0107, President,
\nAnja Seibert-Fohr,
\nAnne Louise Bormann, judges,
\nand Viktoriya Maradudina, Acting Deputy Section Registrar,
\nHaving deliberated in private on 31 August 2023,
\nDelivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date:<\/p>\n

PROCEDURE<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. The case originated in applications against Romania lodged with the Court under Article\u00a034 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (\u201cthe Convention\u201d) on the various dates indicated in the appended table.<\/p>\n

2. The Romanian Government (\u201cthe\u00a0Government\u201d) were given notice of the applications.<\/p>\n

THE FACTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. The list of applicants and the relevant details of the applications are set out in the appended table.<\/p>\n

4. The applicants complained of the inadequate conditions of their detention.<\/p>\n

THE LAW<\/strong><\/p>\n

I. JOINDER OF THE APPLICATIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. Having regard to the similar subject matter of the applications, the Court finds it appropriate to examine them jointly in a single judgment.<\/p>\n

II. ALLEGED VIOLATION OF ARTICLE\u00a03 OF THE CONVENTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

6. The applicants complained principally of the inadequate conditions of their detention. They relied on Article 3 of the Convention.<\/p>\n

7. As regards the admissibility of applications nos. 49755\/16, 53100\/16, 53478\/16, 63493\/16, 64738\/16, 65956\/16, 73258\/16, 1660\/17, 2204\/17, and 4611\/17, the Government raised a preliminary objection concerning the loss of the victim status by the applicants for certain periods of detention specified in the appended table because they had been afforded adequate redress based on Law no. 169\/2017 amending and completing Law no. 254\/2013 on the execution of sentences for those specific periods of detention.<\/p>\n

8. The Court notes that the domestic remedy introduced in respect of the inadequate conditions of detention in Romania and applicable until December 2019 was held to be an effective one in the case of D\u00eerjan and \u015etefan v.\u00a0Romania ((dec.), nos. 14224\/15 and 50977\/15, \u00a7\u00a7 23-33, 15 April 2020). This remedy was available to the abovementioned applicants, and they were, indeed, afforded adequate redress for certain periods of detention (for details see the appended table).<\/p>\n

9. Therefore, the Court accepts the Government\u2019s objection and finds that certain parts of applications nos. 49755\/16, 53100\/16, 53478\/16, 63493\/16, 64738\/16, 65956\/16, 73258\/16, 1660\/17, 2204\/17, and 4611\/17 (see for the relevant details the appended table) are incompatible ratione personae with the provisions of the Convention and must be declared inadmissible in accordance with Article 35 \u00a7\u00a7 3 (a) and 4 of the Convention.<\/p>\n

10. Turning to the remaining periods of the applicants\u2019 detention the details of which are indicated in the appended table, the Court notes that the applicants were kept in detention in poor conditions. The Court refers to the principles established in its case-law regarding inadequate conditions of detention (see, for instance, Mur\u0161i\u0107 v. Croatia [GC], no. 7334\/13, \u00a7\u00a7\u00a096\u2011101, ECHR 2016). It reiterates in particular that a serious lack of space in a prison cell weighs heavily as a factor to be taken into account for the purpose of establishing whether the detention conditions described are \u201cdegrading\u201d from the point of view of Article 3 and may disclose a violation, both alone or taken together with other shortcomings (see Mur\u0161i\u0107, cited above, \u00a7\u00a7 122-41, and Ananyev and Others v. Russia, nos. 42525\/07 and 60800\/08, \u00a7\u00a7\u00a0149\u201159, 10\u00a0January 2012).<\/p>\n

11. In the leading case of Rezmive\u0219 and Others v. Romania, nos.\u00a061467\/12 and 3 others, 25 April 2017, the Court already found a violation in respect of issues similar to those in the present case.<\/p>\n

12. 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 applicants\u2019 conditions of detention during the respective periods (see for further details appended table) were inadequate.<\/p>\n

13. These complaints are therefore admissible and disclose a breach of Article\u00a03 of the Convention.<\/p>\n

III. REMAINING COMPLAINTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

14. In applications nos.\u00a045619\/16, 73258\/16 and 17627\/17, the applicants also raised additional complaints under Article 3 of the Convention related to the conditions of their detention during other periods.<\/p>\n

15. The Court has examined these complaints and considers that, in the light of all the material in its possession and in so far as the matters complained of are within its competence, these complaints either do not meet the admissibility criteria set out in Articles\u00a034 and\u00a035 of the Convention or do not disclose any appearance of a violation of the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Convention or the Protocols thereto.<\/p>\n

It follows that this part of the applications must be rejected in accordance with Article\u00a035\u00a0\u00a7\u00a04 of the Convention.<\/p>\n

IV. APPLICATION OF ARTICLE\u00a041 OF THE CONVENTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

16. Article\u00a041 of the Convention provides:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

17. Regard being had to the documents in its possession and to its case\u2011law (see, in particular, Rezmive\u0219 and Others, cited above), the Court considers it reasonable to award the sums indicated in the appended table.<\/p>\n

FOR THESE REASONS, THE COURT, UNANIMOUSLY,<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Decides to join the applications;<\/p>\n

2. Declares the complaints concerning the inadequate conditions of detention, for the periods specified in the appended table, admissible, and the remainder of the applications inadmissible;<\/p>\n

3. Holds that there has been a breach of Article\u00a03 of the Convention concerning the inadequate conditions of detention;<\/p>\n

4. Holds<\/p>\n

(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;<\/p>\n

(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.<\/p>\n

Done in English, and notified in writing on 21 September 2023, pursuant to Rule\u00a077\u00a0\u00a7\u00a7\u00a02 and\u00a03 of the Rules of Court.<\/p>\n

Viktoriya Maradudina \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Faris Vehabovi\u0107
\nActing Deputy Registrar \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 President<\/p>\n

____________<\/p>\n

APPENDIX<\/strong>
\nList of applications raising complaints under Article 3 of the Convention
\n(inadequate conditions of detention)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
No.<\/strong><\/td>\nApplication no.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Date of introduction<\/strong><\/td>\n

Applicant\u2019s name<\/strong><\/p>\n

Year of birth<\/strong><\/td>\n

Representative\u2019s name and location<\/strong><\/td>\nFacility<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start and end date<\/strong><\/p>\n

Duration<\/strong><\/td>\n

Sq. m per inmate<\/strong><\/td>\nSpecific grievances<\/strong><\/td>\nDomestic compensation awarded (in days) based on total period calculated by national authorities<\/strong><\/td>\nAmount awarded for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage and costs and expenses per applicant<\/strong><\/p>\n

(in euros)<\/strong>[1]<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

1.<\/td>\n45619\/16<\/p>\n

05\/09\/2016<\/td>\n

Ioan-Florin MOLDOVAN<\/strong><\/p>\n

1984<\/td>\n

Ioan Laz\u0103r<\/p>\n

Alba Iulia<\/td>\n

T\u00e2rgu Mure\u0219 Prison<\/p>\n

04\/05\/2016 to<\/p>\n

29\/08\/2016<\/p>\n

3 month(s) and 26\u00a0day(s)<\/td>\n

1.77 \u2013 1.91 m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding, poor quality of food, lack of or insufficient physical exercise in fresh air, lack of or inadequate hygienic facilities, mouldy or dirty cell<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.<\/td>\n49755\/16<\/p>\n

21\/10\/2016<\/td>\n

Andrei-Cosmin BISIOC<\/strong><\/p>\n

1984<\/td>\n

<\/td>\nGherla Prison<\/p>\n

23\/12\/2019<\/p>\n

pending<\/p>\n

More than 3 year(s) and 5\u00a0month(s) and 22\u00a0day(s)<\/td>\n

– m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding, no or restricted access to warm water, lack or inadequate furniture, poor quality of food, lack of or insufficient physical exercise in fresh air<\/td>\n468 days in compensation for a total period of 2,467 days spent in detention in inadequate conditions between 22\/03\/2013 \u2013 22\/12\/2019<\/td>\n3,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.<\/td>\n53100\/16<\/p>\n

29\/09\/2016<\/td>\n

Florin-Dorel ANGHELU\u015e<\/strong><\/p>\n

1978<\/td>\n

<\/td>\nArad County Police Station; Arad, Timi\u0219oara and Jilava Prisons; Rahova and Mioveni Prison Hospitals<\/p>\n

22\/06\/2002 to<\/p>\n

23\/07\/2012<\/p>\n

10 year(s) and 1\u00a0month(s) and 2 day(s)<\/p>\n

Timi\u0219oara Prison<\/p>\n

23\/12\/2019 to<\/p>\n

12\/01\/2021<\/p>\n

1 year(s) and 21 day(s)<\/td>\n

2.04 \u2013 2.9 m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding (save for the periods between 31\/05\/2004\u201116\/02\/2006, 03\/03\/2006-07\/03\/2006, and 17\/01\/2007-23\/07\/2012), lack of privacy for toilet, no or restricted access to running water, poor quality of potable water, poor quality of food, infestation of cell with insects\/rodents<\/td>\n222 days in compensation for a total period of 2,709\u00a0days spent in detention in inadequate conditions between 24\/07\/2012 \u2013 22\/12\/2019<\/td>\n5,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.<\/td>\n53478\/16<\/p>\n

26\/09\/2016<\/td>\n

Marin ACHI\u0162EI<\/strong><\/p>\n

1975<\/td>\n

<\/td>\nBoto\u0219ani County Police Station; Boto\u0219ani, Ia\u0219i, Tulcea, Jilava and Craiova Prisons; Jilava Prison Hospital<\/p>\n

20\/10\/2000 to<\/p>\n

23\/07\/2012<\/p>\n

11 year(s) and 9\u00a0month(s) and 4 day(s)<\/p>\n

Boto\u0219ani Prison<\/p>\n

23\/12\/2019 to<\/p>\n

03\/02\/2020<\/p>\n

1 month(s) and 12\u00a0day(s)<\/p>\n

Ia\u0219i Prison<\/p>\n

07\/01\/2021<\/p>\n

pending<\/p>\n

More than 2 year(s) and 5\u00a0month(s) and 7 day(s)<\/td>\n

1.28 \u2013 2.21 m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding (save for the periods between 14\/12\/2000-25\/01\/2001, and 06\/07\/2010\u201108\/07\/2010), mouldy or dirty cell, infestation of cell with insects\/rodents, no or restricted access to shower, inadequate temperature, poor quality of food<\/td>\n534 days in compensation for a total period of 2,709 days spent in detention in inadequate conditions between 24\/07\/2012 \u2013 22\/12\/2019<\/td>\n5,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.<\/td>\n58249\/16<\/p>\n

07\/11\/2016<\/td>\n

Dumitru MARDARE<\/strong><\/p>\n

1955<\/td>\n

<\/td>\nAiud, Baia Mare, D\u00e2mbovi\u021ba (M\u0103rgineni), Miercurea Ciuc, Ia\u0219i and Vaslui Prisons<\/p>\n

25\/05\/2016 to<\/p>\n

10\/05\/2017<\/p>\n

11 month(s) and 16\u00a0day(s)<\/td>\n

– m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding, mouldy or dirty cell, bunk beds, lack of or poor quality of bedding and bed linen, lack of or insufficient natural light, lack of or insufficient electric light, infestation of cell with insects\/rodents<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.<\/td>\n59925\/16<\/p>\n

07\/10\/2016<\/td>\n

Ciprian CONSTANDACHE<\/strong><\/p>\n

1981<\/td>\n

Ionela M\u0103rg\u0103rit<\/p>\n

Bucharest<\/td>\n

Gala\u021bi, Tulcea and Br\u0103ila Prisons<\/p>\n

07\/01\/2015 to<\/p>\n

25\/04\/2017<\/p>\n

2 year(s) and 3\u00a0month(s) and 19\u00a0day(s)<\/td>\n

1.5 – 2.9 m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding, lack of or inadequate hygienic facilities, infestation of cell with insects\/rodents, no or restricted access to potable water, no or restricted access to running water, lack of fresh air, lack of or insufficient natural light<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7.<\/td>\n63493\/16<\/p>\n

06\/02\/2017<\/td>\n

Ludovic VASZI<\/strong><\/p>\n

1979<\/td>\n

Vasile Rare\u015f Biro<\/p>\n

Satu Mare<\/td>\n

Arad Prison<\/p>\n

14\/03\/2016 to<\/p>\n

28\/08\/2016<\/p>\n

5 month(s) and 15\u00a0day(s)<\/td>\n

3.87 \u2013 4.35 m\u00b2<\/td>\nlack of or inadequate hygienic facilities, infestation of cell with insects\/rodents, poor quality of food, lack of fresh air, lack of or poor quality of bedding and bed linen<\/td>\n138 days in compensation for a total period of 1,238 days spent in detention in inadequate conditions between 18\/10\/2015 \u2013 30\/05\/2018 (save for the period between 14\/03\/2016 \u2013 28\/08\/2016)<\/td>\n1,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8.<\/td>\n64738\/16<\/p>\n

28\/11\/2016<\/td>\n

Migdal ION<\/strong><\/p>\n

1963<\/td>\n

<\/td>\nBucharest General Police Inspectorate; Jilava, Rahova, Giurgiu and Foc\u0219ani Prisons; Mioveni Prison Hospital<\/p>\n

30\/09\/2008 to<\/p>\n

23\/07\/2012<\/p>\n

3 year(s) and 9\u00a0month(s) and 24\u00a0day(s)<\/td>\n

1.24 \u2013 2.96 m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding (save for the period between 19\/12\/2010-21\/12\/2010), lack or inadequate furniture, no or restricted access to potable water, no or restricted access to shower, no or restricted access to toilet, lack of or insufficient natural light<\/td>\n396 days in compensation for a total period of 2,003 days spent in detention in inadequate conditions between 24\/07\/2012 \u2013 16\/01\/2018<\/td>\n3,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9.<\/td>\n65956\/16<\/p>\n

08\/12\/2016<\/td>\n

Dumitru NICHESCU<\/strong><\/p>\n

1983<\/td>\n

<\/td>\nArad Prison<\/p>\n

04\/08\/2014 to<\/p>\n

11\/05\/2015<\/p>\n

9 month(s) and 8 day(s)<\/p>\n

Arad Prison<\/p>\n

14\/05\/2015 to<\/p>\n

18\/08\/2016<\/p>\n

1 year(s) and 3\u00a0month(s) and 5 day(s)<\/p>\n

Arad Prison<\/p>\n

01\/02\/2019 to<\/p>\n

21\/10\/2019<\/p>\n

8 month(s) and 21\u00a0day(s)<\/p>\n

Drobeta-Turnu Severin Prison<\/p>\n

23\/12\/2019 to<\/p>\n

21\/10\/2020<\/p>\n

9 month(s) and 29\u00a0day(s)<\/td>\n

– m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding, bunk beds, lack of or inadequate hygienic facilities, lack of or insufficient natural light, lack of fresh air, infestation of cell with insects\/rodents<\/td>\n228 days in compensation for a total period of 1,139 days spent in detention in inadequate conditions between 21\/01\/2014 \u2013 22\/12\/2019 (save for the periods between 04\/08\/2014 \u2013 11\/05\/2015, 14\/05\/2015 \u2013 18\/08\/2016, and 01\/02\/2019 \u2013 21\/10\/2019)<\/td>\n3,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10.<\/td>\n73258\/16<\/p>\n

23\/11\/2016<\/td>\n

Aurel TALPOS-LACATOS<\/strong><\/p>\n

1977<\/td>\n

Vasile Rare\u015f Biro<\/p>\n

Satu Mare<\/td>\n

Arad Prison<\/p>\n

23\/07\/2015 to<\/p>\n

27\/08\/2015<\/p>\n

1 month(s) and 5 day(s)<\/p>\n

Arad Prison<\/p>\n

30\/09\/2015 to<\/p>\n

27\/06\/2016<\/p>\n

8 month(s) and 29 day(s)<\/p>\n

Satu Mare, Oradea, Gherla and Arad Prisons<\/p>\n

23\/12\/2019<\/p>\n

pending<\/p>\n

More than 3 year(s) and 5\u00a0month(s) and 30\u00a0day(s)<\/td>\n

1.3 \u2013 2.68 m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding (save for the periods between 23\/07\/2015\u201127\/08\/2015 and 30\/09\/2015-27\/06\/2016), lack of or inadequate hygienic facilities, lack or inadequate furniture, lack of fresh air, lack of or poor quality of bedding and bed linen, infestation of cell with insects\/rodents<\/td>\n456 days in compensation for a total period of 2,304 days spent in detention in inadequate conditions between 24\/07\/2012 \u2013 22\/12\/2019 (save for the periods between 23\/07\/2015 \u2013 27\/08\/2015 and 30\/09\/2015 \u2013 27\/06\/2016)<\/td>\n3,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11.<\/td>\n76288\/16<\/p>\n

26\/01\/2017<\/td>\n

Eugen NI\u021aU<\/strong><\/p>\n

1965<\/p>\n

Deceased in 2020<\/td>\n

<\/td>\nD\u00e2mbovi\u021ba (M\u0103rgineni) and Ploie\u015fti Prisons<\/p>\n

26\/09\/2013 to<\/p>\n

21\/03\/2017<\/p>\n

3 year(s) and 5\u00a0month(s) and 24\u00a0day(s)<\/td>\n

– m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding, lack of or inadequate hygienic facilities, poor quality of food, no or restricted access to shower, no or restricted access to water<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12.<\/td>\n2204\/17<\/p>\n

27\/02\/2017<\/td>\n

Floric\u0103 DUMITRU<\/strong><\/p>\n

1965<\/td>\n

<\/td>\nGiurgiu County Police Station; Giurgiu Prison<\/p>\n

22\/04\/2010 to<\/p>\n

20\/05\/2011<\/p>\n

1 year(s) and 29 day(s)<\/p>\n

Giurgiu Prison<\/p>\n

26\/05\/2011 to<\/p>\n

23\/07\/2012<\/p>\n

1 year(s) and 1 month(s) and 28 day(s)<\/p>\n

Giurgiu Prison<\/p>\n

23\/12\/2019 to<\/p>\n

03\/02\/2020<\/p>\n

1 month(s) and 12 day(s)<\/p>\n

Giurgiu Prison<\/p>\n

05\/02\/2020 to<\/p>\n

06\/07\/2021<\/p>\n

1 year(s) and 5 month(s) and 2 day(s)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Giurgiu and Mioveni Prisons<\/p>\n

09\/07\/2021<\/p>\n

pending<\/p>\n

More than 1 year(s) and 11\u00a0month(s) and 18 day(s)<\/td>\n

2.09 m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding (save for the periods between 20\/12\/2010-08\/02\/2011, 23\/12\/2019-03\/02\/2020, 05\/02\/2020-14\/03\/2021, and 22\/09\/2021-pending), lack of or inadequate hygienic facilities, lack of fresh air, mouldy or dirty cell, inadequate temperature, infestation of cell with insects\/rodents<\/td>\n528 days in compensation for a total period of 2,652 days spent in detention in inadequate conditions between 24\/07\/2012 \u2013 22\/12\/2019<\/td>\n5,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13.<\/td>\n4611\/17<\/p>\n

19\/12\/2016<\/td>\n

R\u0103zvan LINGURAR<\/strong><\/p>\n

1987<\/td>\n

Vasile Rare\u015f Biro<\/p>\n

Satu Mare<\/td>\n

Bihor County Police Station<\/p>\n

08\/09\/2015 to<\/p>\n

08\/10\/2015<\/p>\n

1 month(s) and 1 day(s)<\/td>\n

2.62 \u2013 2.64 m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding, bunk beds, lack of privacy for toilet, lack of fresh air, mouldy or dirty cell, infestation of cell with insects\/rodents<\/td>\n150 days in compensation for a total period of 756 days spent in detention in inadequate conditions between 09\/10\/2015 \u2013 01\/11\/2017<\/td>\n1,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14.<\/td>\n17627\/17<\/p>\n

22\/03\/2017<\/td>\n

Marian \u021aURLESCU<\/strong><\/p>\n

1969<\/td>\n

<\/td>\nTulcea Prison<\/p>\n

23\/12\/2019<\/p>\n

pending<\/p>\n

More than 3 year(s) and 6 month(s) and 6 day(s)<\/td>\n

2.05 \u2013 2.6 m\u00b2<\/td>\novercrowding, lack of or inadequate hygienic facilities, no or restricted access to warm water, poor quality of food, lack of toiletries<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

[1]<\/a> Plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicants.<\/p>\n