Helga Law Journal - 01.01.2021, Side 218

Helga Law Journal - 01.01.2021, Side 218
Helga Law Journal Vol. 1, 2021 222 International Legal Research Group 223 6 How equipped is your country’s legal system to face the challenges presented by digital social movements such as #metoo and how might the right to protest be exercised in this context? 6.1 The right to demonstrate on the Internet through freedom of expression In France, there is no specific legislation on the freedom to demonstrate on the Internet. The only case law related to this, deal with freedom of expression and more specifically its application on the internet. The right to demonstrate on the internet is therefore exercised through freedom of expression. 6.2 Respect for freedom of expression and its limits on the Internet Freedom of expression is written in Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, it also states that the exercise of freedom of expression may be restricted by law in to the extent that they are necessary and proportionate to the aim pursued in a democratic society. Similar limits in which freedom of expression may be exercised are set out in Article 11 of the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen: "The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the rights more precious of the man: any citizen can thus speak, write, print freely, except to answer to the abuse of this freedom in the cases determined by the Law."40 On the internet, everyone has the right to express themselves freely within traditional limits. The main prohibitions include insults, privacy, defamation, apology for terrorism or incitement. 7 What role and responsibilities do academic institutions in your country have regarding promoting freedom of speech and the right to protest within and outside their campuses? 7.1 The unalienable freedom of expression of the university Article 3 of Act No. 84-52 of 26 January 1984 on higher education states that "the public service of higher education is secular and independent of any political, 40 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, Article 11. economic, religious or ideological influence; to the objectivity of knowledge, it respects the diversity of opinions and must guarantee to teaching and research their possibilities of free scientific development.41" This article therefore requires that freedom of expression be present in universities. It is necessary for the smooth running of their mission. French law goes so far as to devote greater freedom of expression to academics, (Code of Education, art L. 952-2), which extends beyond that of civil servants.42 Finally, independence is granted to them through, most notably, the statute of professors: irremovability for the professors holding a chair. The Constitutional Council binds these two particularities to the nature of their teaching and research functions. 7.2 This privileged status makes the university ambassador of freedom of expression The freedom of expression granted to French universities gives them a special aura. Thus, they serve as a pillar of this freedom, although it is not one of their defined roles, this is done by academic researchers and teachers who use this freedom to protect themselves. However, French universities do not have the obligation or even the objective. Since French law only requires higher education to strive towards "the objectivity of knowledge, it respects the diversity of opinions and must guarantee to teaching and research their possibilities of free scientific development."43 Moreover, the July 1968 law incorporates political and trade union freedoms at the University. Without being the watchdog of democracy, French universities play a significant role in promoting freedom of expression and by extension in demonstrating. 41 Act No. 84-52 of 26 January 1984, Article 3. 42 Code of Education, Article L952-2. 43 L141-6 Code of Education.
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