The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has approved non-material compensation for Socialist MEP Tibor Szanyi for the violation of his freedom of expression rights by Hungarian parliament.<\/p>\n
2013, Hungary\u2019s parliament \u00a0fined then lawmaker Szanyi of the Socialist Party for showing his middle finger to the radical nationalist Jobbik parliamentary group after a speech he had delivered one week prior. The Socialist MEP stated that he made the gesture in response to racist comments made by Jobbik MPs during his speech.<\/p>\n
Szanyi approached the ECHR on this issue saying that the penalty violated his rights to freedom of expression, and also because Parliamentary Speaker L\u00e1szl\u00f3 K\u00f6v\u00e9r had rejected his plan to speak up over the issue in the next few days, arguing that Szanyi\u2019s statements would harm parliament\u2019s authority and would have given reason enough for a disciplinary procedure. The ECtHR ruled that if Szanyi has paid his fine, he is to receive compensation for his expenses.<\/p>\n
Szanyi\u2019s penalty was the harshest possible retribution against MPs using \u201coutstandingly offensive language according to Hungarian parliamentary law. Szanyi\u2019s fine has created a precedent since the introduction of the law on January 1, 2013.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"