The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in France, on Tuesday (Apr 9) delivered a landmark ruling and found Switzerland’s failure to adequately tackle the climate crisis a violation of human rights in a case brought by more than 2,000 women.&nbsp;

<h2>About the hearing</h2>

The court ruled in favour of a group of elderly women from Switzerland who argued that the Swiss government’s inadequate efforts to combat climate change put them at risk of dying during heatwaves.&nbsp;

The women, most of whom are in their 70s, argued that their age and gender made them particularly vulnerable to the effects of heatwaves which have become more frequent and are intensifying in recent years due to climate change.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/march-breaks-all-records-emerges-as-10th-hottest-month-raising-alarm-709289">Earth continues to sear as March emerges as 10th consecutive hottest month&nbsp;</a>

The court in the French city of Strasbourg heard the case against Switzerland’s government which had been accused of not only undermining the health and quality of life of the women but also putting them at risk of dying.&nbsp;

Court President Siofra O’Leary said the Swiss government had violated the human right to a private and family life as it failed to formulate and implement domestic policies to tackle climate change.&nbsp;

“This included a failure to quantify, through a carbon budget or otherwise, national greenhouse gas emissions limitations,” O’Leary told the courtroom.&nbsp;

She also noted that the Swiss government had failed to meet its past greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The ECtHR also found “critical gaps” in Switzerland’s policies to tackle climate change.&nbsp;

The judgement marks the first time that the court has ruled on climate litigation. Notably, the court does not allow a right to appeal and their judgement is legally binding.&nbsp;

<h2>‘We still can’t really believe it’</h2>

“We still can’t really believe it. We keep asking our lawyers, ‘is that right?’,” said Rosemarie Wydler-Walti, one of the leaders of the Swiss women, KlimaSeniorinnen or Senior Women for Climate Protection, as quoted by the news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg also joined the campaigners in celebrating at the court.&nbsp;

The judgement in the case heard by a 17-judge panel at the ECtHR also comes as dozens of courts across the world are hearing climate lawsuits brought by communities against governments which hinge on human rights.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-leave-xi-jinpings-effigy-trampled-upon-outside-chinese-consulate-in-manila-709387">'China leave': Xi Jinping's effigy trampled upon outside Chinese consulate in Manila</a>

“Regardless of the legal arguments, what these cases do is they remind us of the high importance and urgency which our citizens attach to climate action,” said the European Commission spokesperson after the ruling.&nbsp;

<h2>Court dismisses two other cases</h2>

The court dismissed two other cases brought by six Portuguese young people and a former French mayor, both of which largely argued that European governments had failed to tackle climate change quickly enough and that it violated their rights.&nbsp;

The six Portuguese youths filed a lawsuit against 32 European governments, but had been dismissed by the court saying that the two claims were ruled “inadmissible.”

“It is a betrayal beyond words, and today’s rulings make very clear that the European states have a legal responsibility to take real time action and to protect people, to protect its citizens,” said Thunberg.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in France, on Tuesday (Apr 9) delivered a landmark ruling and found Switzerland’s failure to adequately tackle the climate crisis a violation of human rights in a case brought by more than 2,000 women.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in France, on Tuesday (Apr 9) delivered a landmark ruling and found Switzerland’s failure to adequately tackle the climate crisis a violation of human rights in a case brought by more than 2,000 women. About the hearing The court ruled in favour of a group of elderly women from Switzerland who argued that the Swiss government’s inadequate efforts to combat climate change put them at risk of dying during heatwaves. The women, most of whom are in their 70s, argued that their age and gender made them particularly vulnerable to the effects of heatwaves which have become more frequent and are intensifying in recent years due to climate change. Also Read | Earth continues to sear as March emerges as 10th consecutive hottest month The court in the French city of Strasbourg heard the case against Switzerland’s government which had been accused of not only undermining the health and quality of life of the women but also putting them at risk of dying. Court President Siofra O’Leary said the Swiss government had violated the human right to a private and family life as it failed to formulate and implement domestic policies to tackle climate change. “This included a failure to quantify, through a carbon budget or otherwise, national greenhouse gas emissions limitations,” O’Leary told the courtroom. She also noted that the Swiss government had failed to meet its past greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The ECtHR also found “critical gaps” in Switzerland’s policies to tackle climate change. The judgement marks the first time that the court has ruled on climate litigation. Notably, the court does not allow a right to appeal and their judgement is legally binding. ‘We still can’t really believe it’ “We still can’t really believe it. We keep asking our lawyers, ‘is that right?’,” said Rosemarie Wydler-Walti, one of the leaders of the Swiss women, KlimaSeniorinnen or Senior Women for Climate Protection, as quoted by the news agency Reuters. Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg also joined the campaigners in celebrating at the court. The judgement in the case heard by a 17-judge panel at the ECtHR also comes as dozens of courts across the world are hearing climate lawsuits brought by communities against governments which hinge on human rights. Also Read | 'China leave': Xi Jinping's effigy trampled upon outside Chinese consulate in Manila “Regardless of the legal arguments, what these cases do is they remind us of the high importance and urgency which our citizens attach to climate action,” said the European Commission spokesperson after the ruling. Court dismisses two other cases The court dismissed two other cases brought by six Portuguese young people and a former French mayor, both of which largely argued that European governments had failed to tackle climate change quickly enough and that it violated their rights. The six Portuguese youths filed a lawsuit against 32 European governments, but had been dismissed by the court saying that the two claims were ruled “inadmissible.” “It is a betrayal beyond words, and today’s rulings make very clear that the European states have a legal responsibility to take real time action and to protect people, to protect its citizens,” said Thunberg. (With inputs from agencies)

Climate inaction by Switzerland violated human rights, rules European Court in case filed by 2,000 women

A rather unprecedented climate trial is currently underway at the&nbsp;European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France after six young people from areas in Portugal ravaged by wildfires took 32 European governments to court. Dubbed as the largest climate case ever to be heard by ECHR, the young people argue that the failure of the said nations to act fast enough on climate change is a violation of their climate rights.

The young Portuguese applicants, aged between 11 and 24, with the support of the British-based Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), filed the case in September 2020 against the&nbsp;27 EU member states as well as Britain, Switzerland, Norway, Russia and Turkey. They are seeking a legally binding order that would force the states to act on climate issues.&nbsp;

While the hearing started early in the day and is scheduled to end on the same day, a ruling is not expected before the first half of 2024.

"Today&nbsp;we will stand up at the ECHR to argue for our rights and our future," the applicants wrote on social media ahead of the trial.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/double-the-climate-financing-pacific-forum-members-call-for-action-from-biggest-emitters-of-carbon-498254">Also read |&nbsp;'Double the climate financing', Pacific Forum members call for action from biggest emitters of carbon</a>

<h2>David vs Goliath&nbsp;</h2>

In what is a true 'David vs. Goliath battle, more than 80 lawyers are representing the accused countries while the applicants are being represented by just six lawyers.&nbsp;

Gerry Liston, one of the lawyers representing the Portuguese youth said if the case were to be successful, it would be up to national courts to enforce the rulings. They would be provided with a road map to ensure enforcement was effective.&nbsp;

"We just want them (governments) to stick to the treaties and do what they promised they would do," 15-year-old Andre Oliveira, one of the six applicants was quoted as saying by&nbsp;Reuters as he&nbsp;pointed to the 2015 Paris Agreement on cutting emissions to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius and aim for 1.5ºC.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-tries-to-fight-the-heat-with-cool-gadgets-621313">Watch |&nbsp;Japan tries to fight the heat with cool gadgets</a>

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Climate change is fast becoming an existential threat to humanity.&nbsp;UN Secretary-General, António Guterres has already warned the world saying "the era of global warming has ended" and that "the era of global boiling has arrived".&nbsp;

“Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning.&nbsp;It is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C [above pre-industrial levels] and avoid the very worst of climate change. But only with dramatic, immediate climate action," said&nbsp;Guterres.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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A rather unprecedented climate trial is currently underway at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France after six young people from areas in Portugal ravaged by wildfires took 32 European governments to court.

A rather unprecedented climate trial is currently underway at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France after six young people from areas in Portugal ravaged by wildfires took 32 European governments to court. Dubbed as the largest climate case ever to be heard by ECHR, the young people argue that the failure of the said nations to act fast enough on climate change is a violation of their climate rights. The young Portuguese applicants, aged between 11 and 24, with the support of the British-based Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), filed the case in September 2020 against the 27 EU member states as well as Britain, Switzerland, Norway, Russia and Turkey. They are seeking a legally binding order that would force the states to act on climate issues. While the hearing started early in the day and is scheduled to end on the same day, a ruling is not expected before the first half of 2024. "Today we will stand up at the ECHR to argue for our rights and our future," the applicants wrote on social media ahead of the trial. Also read | 'Double the climate financing', Pacific Forum members call for action from biggest emitters of carbon David vs Goliath In what is a true 'David vs. Goliath battle, more than 80 lawyers are representing the accused countries while the applicants are being represented by just six lawyers. Gerry Liston, one of the lawyers representing the Portuguese youth said if the case were to be successful, it would be up to national courts to enforce the rulings. They would be provided with a road map to ensure enforcement was effective. "We just want them (governments) to stick to the treaties and do what they promised they would do," 15-year-old Andre Oliveira, one of the six applicants was quoted as saying by Reuters as he pointed to the 2015 Paris Agreement on cutting emissions to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius and aim for 1.5ºC. Watch | Japan tries to fight the heat with cool gadgets × Climate change is fast becoming an existential threat to humanity. UN Secretary-General, António Guterres has already warned the world saying "the era of global warming has ended" and that "the era of global boiling has arrived". “Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning. It is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C [above pre-industrial levels] and avoid the very worst of climate change. But only with dramatic, immediate climate action," said Guterres. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Why have these young Portuguese climate activists taken 32 European nations to court?

In pics: Rwanda asylum flight cancelled after legal action

According to the European Court, the European Union(EU) missed its target spending goal on climate change as part of&nbsp;pre-2020 budget plan.

The report said, "In 2021, the Commission reported that it had met the target, having spent €216 billion on climate-relevant measures."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/one-species-may-benefit-from-climate-change-study-483922">Also Read|&nbsp;One species may benefit from climate change: Study</a>

The report said the "Commission overstated climate spending by at least €72 billion, over 80 per cent of which was from agricultural funding."&nbsp;

"This means that around 13 per cent of the 2014-2020 EU budget was spent on climate action," it pointed out.

Watch:&nbsp;Is climate activism becoming a nuisance to society?

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The European court said "the methodology used to report on climate spending should account for all relevant funding for climate action," while adding that, "It should use reliable estimates based on proven contributions to climate objectives."

The auditors pointed out that it should not involve "heavy administrative burden".

"When reported figures are based on planned or committed amounts, they are inflated by unused or not disbursed funds," the auditors said.

The auditors also claimed that the Commission overstated its "green" spending in agriculture by €60 billion.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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According to the European Court, the European Union(EU) missed its target spending goal on climate change as part of pre-2020 budget plan. The report said, "In 2021, the Commission reported that it had met the target, having spent €216 billion on climate-relevant measures.

According to the European Court, the European Union(EU) missed its target spending goal on climate change as part of pre-2020 budget plan. The report said, "In 2021, the Commission reported that it had met the target, having spent €216 billion on climate-relevant measures." Also Read| One species may benefit from climate change: Study The report said the "Commission overstated climate spending by at least €72 billion, over 80 per cent of which was from agricultural funding." "This means that around 13 per cent of the 2014-2020 EU budget was spent on climate action," it pointed out. Watch: Is climate activism becoming a nuisance to society? The European court said "the methodology used to report on climate spending should account for all relevant funding for climate action," while adding that, "It should use reliable estimates based on proven contributions to climate objectives." The auditors pointed out that it should not involve "heavy administrative burden". "When reported figures are based on planned or committed amounts, they are inflated by unused or not disbursed funds," the auditors said. The auditors also claimed that the Commission overstated its "green" spending in agriculture by €60 billion. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

EU overstated climate spending, say European Court auditors

The European Court of Human Rights has found that Russia was responsible for the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006.

Litvinenko was a former Russian FSB agent who joined MI6 after fleeing to the United Kingdom.

He died in agony after being poisoned with Polonium 210, a rare and extremely strong radioactive isotope, in London in 2006. 
 
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The grave of murdered ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko is seen at Highgate Cemetery in London, Britain, January 21, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

His assassination was thought to have been personally sanctioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Russia has always denied participation. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-hits-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-with-new-charge-that-could-add-to-jail-term-404725">Also read | Russia hits Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny with new charge that could add to jail term</a>

The court stated in a statement that "Russia was responsible for the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko in the United Kingdom."&nbsp;

In 1998, Litvinenko, who had previously served in both the FSB and the KGB, went public with charges that he had been asked to investigate the possibility of murdering a wealthy businessman. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putins-party-wins-majority-in-russian-elections-414302">Also read | Vladimir Putin's party wins majority in Russian elections</a>

After being discharged by the FSB, he fled Russia and was given refuge in the United Kingdom in 2001.

Litvinenko "got involved in exposing corruption and links to organised crime in the Russian intelligence agencies," according to the European Court of Human Rights' decision.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Court of Human Rights has found that Russia was responsible for the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006. Litvinenko was a former Russian FSB agent who joined MI6 after fleeing to the United Kingdom.

The European Court of Human Rights has found that Russia was responsible for the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006. Litvinenko was a former Russian FSB agent who joined MI6 after fleeing to the United Kingdom. He died in agony after being poisoned with Polonium 210, a rare and extremely strong radioactive isotope, in London in 2006. The grave of murdered ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko is seen at Highgate Cemetery in London, Britain, January 21, 2016. (Reuters Photo) His assassination was thought to have been personally sanctioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Russia has always denied participation. Also read | Russia hits Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny with new charge that could add to jail term The court stated in a statement that "Russia was responsible for the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko in the United Kingdom." In 1998, Litvinenko, who had previously served in both the FSB and the KGB, went public with charges that he had been asked to investigate the possibility of murdering a wealthy businessman. Also read | Vladimir Putin's party wins majority in Russian elections After being discharged by the FSB, he fled Russia and was given refuge in the United Kingdom in 2001. Litvinenko "got involved in exposing corruption and links to organised crime in the Russian intelligence agencies," according to the European Court of Human Rights' decision. (With inputs from agencies)

Alexander Litvinenko: Russia responsible for assassination of ex-spy, European court rules

Europe's Top Court has ruled that states can ban kosher and halal ritual slaughter. The European Court of Justice backed a Belgian ban on the slaughter of animals without stunning.

Gravitas: European Court backs ban on Kosher and Halal ritual slaughter

A charismatic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-opposition-leader-alexei-navalny-hospitalised-for-allergic-reaction-239039">anti-corruption campaigner, Alexei Navalny</a> has been Russia's leading opposition politician for around a decade, determined to challenge Vladimir Putin's grip on power despite frequent prison stays and even damage to his health.

The Yale-educated 43-year-old lawyer has been banned from state television and was barred from challenging Putin in a presidential election last year.

He has often been jailed and physically attacked, but has vowed to press ahead with his campaign to change Russia for the better.

Navalny has won a young fan base through viral videos exposing corruption among the elites and has more than two million followers on Twitter.

He has grabbed attention with his uncompromising rhetoric and coined phrases such as the "party of crooks and thieves" to slam the ruling party United Russia.

In 2011, the anti-corruption blogger led mass protests when tens of thousands took to the streets of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dozens-arrested-at-moscow-protest-after-opposition-crackdown-238830">Moscow</a> to protest against vote-rigging in parliamentary elections.

Two years later the father of two stood for Moscow mayor, coming second against Putin ally Sergei Sobyanin.

In 2017, he accused Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of massive corruption in a YouTube documentary. That kick-started a fresh wave of protests across the country that was met with police violence and mass arrests.&nbsp;

The same year he had to travel to Spain for surgery after one of several street attacks left him nearly blind in one eye.

Brother jailed

Navalny has faced a series of legal cases, which supporters see as punishment for his activism.

In 2013, he was found guilty in an embezzlement case involving a timber deal and given a five-year suspended sentence that disqualified him from standing for public office.

The European Court of Human Rights threw out the verdict but a retrial issued Navalny the same sentence.

He then had to spend months under house arrest and was often kept incommunicado over another graft case linked to French cosmetics company Yves Rocher.

In 2014, he was given another suspended sentence, and his brother Oleg, a co-defendant, was jailed for three and a half years in a decision activist have compared to "hostage-taking".

Navalny has said he learned about political campaigning from watching the US television series "House of Cards" and once listed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tom-cruise-arnold-schwarzenegger-revive-80s-hollywood-classics-at-comic-con-237124">Hollywood actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger</a> among his heroes.

Navalny toured Russia ahead of the 2018 presidential election in an American-style campaign to rally his supporters.

But with the Kremlin tightly controlling the media, he remains a fringe figure for many Russians, who are exposed to the official portrayal of him as a Western stooge and convicted criminal.&nbsp;

Putin has refused to pronounce Navalny's name in public, instead referring to him as "the person you mentioned", among other euphemisms, when asked directly about the opposition leader.

Eye-catching exposes 
&nbsp; 
While barred from mainstream politics, Navalny has kept trying to expose the lavish wealth of Russia's elites, broadcasting the findings of his investigations to millions of Russians on social media and YouTube.

Trawling through land registries and the filings of offshore companies, Navalny and his team have helped lay bare the mansions and hidden fortunes of high-ranking officials.&nbsp;

Among Navalny's most eye-catching exposes have been details on the palatial homes of Putin's allies in Russia and abroad including one kitted out with a vast climate-controlled storage room for fur coats in the residence of Vladimir Yakunin, former chief of Russia's national railways.

But despite tapping into discontent among a largely young urban middle class he is far from a unifying opposition figure and some have criticised his anti-immigrant nationalist stance.

Several members of Navalny's team have fought hard to get on the ballot for Moscow parliament elections in September, each managing to collect roughly 5,000 signatures from supporters. They have been barred from running, along with other pro-Kremlin politicians.

Last week Navalny was jailed for calling an unauthorised protest over the ban and on Sunday he was rushed to a hospital. His lawyer and doctor said he had been "poisoned." 
&nbsp;

A charismatic anti-corruption campaigner, Alexei Navalny has been Russia's leading opposition politician for around a decade, determined to challenge Vladimir Putin's grip on power despite frequent prison stays and even damage to his health.

A charismatic anti-corruption campaigner, Alexei Navalny has been Russia's leading opposition politician for around a decade, determined to challenge Vladimir Putin's grip on power despite frequent prison stays and even damage to his health. The Yale-educated 43-year-old lawyer has been banned from state television and was barred from challenging Putin in a presidential election last year. He has often been jailed and physically attacked, but has vowed to press ahead with his campaign to change Russia for the better. Navalny has won a young fan base through viral videos exposing corruption among the elites and has more than two million followers on Twitter. He has grabbed attention with his uncompromising rhetoric and coined phrases such as the "party of crooks and thieves" to slam the ruling party United Russia. In 2011, the anti-corruption blogger led mass protests when tens of thousands took to the streets of Moscow to protest against vote-rigging in parliamentary elections. Two years later the father of two stood for Moscow mayor, coming second against Putin ally Sergei Sobyanin. In 2017, he accused Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of massive corruption in a YouTube documentary. That kick-started a fresh wave of protests across the country that was met with police violence and mass arrests. The same year he had to travel to Spain for surgery after one of several street attacks left him nearly blind in one eye. Brother jailed Navalny has faced a series of legal cases, which supporters see as punishment for his activism. In 2013, he was found guilty in an embezzlement case involving a timber deal and given a five-year suspended sentence that disqualified him from standing for public office. The European Court of Human Rights threw out the verdict but a retrial issued Navalny the same sentence. He then had to spend months under house arrest and was often kept incommunicado over another graft case linked to French cosmetics company Yves Rocher. In 2014, he was given another suspended sentence, and his brother Oleg, a co-defendant, was jailed for three and a half years in a decision activist have compared to "hostage-taking". Navalny has said he learned about political campaigning from watching the US television series "House of Cards" and once listed Hollywood actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger among his heroes. Navalny toured Russia ahead of the 2018 presidential election in an American-style campaign to rally his supporters. But with the Kremlin tightly controlling the media, he remains a fringe figure for many Russians, who are exposed to the official portrayal of him as a Western stooge and convicted criminal. Putin has refused to pronounce Navalny's name in public, instead referring to him as "the person you mentioned", among other euphemisms, when asked directly about the opposition leader. Eye-catching exposes While barred from mainstream politics, Navalny has kept trying to expose the lavish wealth of Russia's elites, broadcasting the findings of his investigations to millions of Russians on social media and YouTube. Trawling through land registries and the filings of offshore companies, Navalny and his team have helped lay bare the mansions and hidden fortunes of high-ranking officials. Among Navalny's most eye-catching exposes have been details on the palatial homes of Putin's allies in Russia and abroad including one kitted out with a vast climate-controlled storage room for fur coats in the residence of Vladimir Yakunin, former chief of Russia's national railways. But despite tapping into discontent among a largely young urban middle class he is far from a unifying opposition figure and some have criticised his anti-immigrant nationalist stance. Several members of Navalny's team have fought hard to get on the ballot for Moscow parliament elections in September, each managing to collect roughly 5,000 signatures from supporters. They have been barred from running, along with other pro-Kremlin politicians. Last week Navalny was jailed for calling an unauthorised protest over the ban and on Sunday he was rushed to a hospital. His lawyer and doctor said he had been "poisoned."

Alexei Navalny: The lawyer standing up to Russia's President Vladimir Putin

Companies need to make sure that employees are aware in advance of management monitoring of their work email accounts, the European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday in a landmark privacy case.

In a judgment in the case of a man fired 10 years ago for using a work messaging account to communicate with his family, the judges found that Romanian courts failed to protect Bogdan Barbulescu&#39;s private correspondence because his company had not given prior notice that it was monitoring his communications.

The company had presented him with printouts of his private messages to his brother and fianc&eacute;e on Yahoo Messenger as evidence of his breach of a company ban on such personal use.

The European court in Strasbourg ruled by an 11-6 majority that Romanian judges, in backing the employer, had failed to protect Barbulescu&#39;s right to private life and correspondence.

Romanian courts failed to protect Bogdan Barbulescu's private correspondence because his company had not given prior notice that it was monitoring his communications.

Companies need to make sure that employees are aware in advance of management monitoring of their work email accounts, the European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday in a landmark privacy case. In a judgment in the case of a man fired 10 years ago for using a work messaging account to communicate with his family, the judges found that Romanian courts failed to protect Bogdan Barbulescu's private correspondence because his company had not given prior notice that it was monitoring his communications. The company had presented him with printouts of his private messages to his brother and fiancée on Yahoo Messenger as evidence of his breach of a company ban on such personal use. The European court in Strasbourg ruled by an 11-6 majority that Romanian judges, in backing the employer, had failed to protect Barbulescu's right to private life and correspondence.

European court rules firms must tell employees of email checks

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