Recommendations

Pursuant to article 2 (3) (a) of the Covenant, the State party is under an obligation to provide the author with an effective remedy. This requires it to make full reparation to individuals whose Covenant rights have been violated.

Accordingly, the State party is obligated, inter alia, to take appropriate steps to provide the author with adequate compensation, including reimbursement of the court fines, the legal costs and other related fees.

The State party is also under an obligation to take steps to prevent similar violations in the future. In that connection, the Committee reiterates that the State party should review its legislation as it was applied in the present case with a view to ensuring that the rights under articles 19 and 21 of the Covenant can be fully enjoyed in the State party.