Court says Norway violated mass killer Breivik's human rights
OSLO - Reuters
AP photo
Norway violated mass killer Anders Behring Breivik's human rights by exposing him to inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment while serving his prison sentence, a Norwegian court ruled on April 20.
Breivik took Norwegian authorities to court in March, accusing them of breaching the European Convention on Human Rights by keeping him isolated from other prisoners.
He killed 77 people in twin attacks in 2011 in the worst acts of violence in Norway since World War Two.
The verdict said the Norwegian state had broken Article 3 of the European convention.
"The prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society. This applies no matter what - also in the treatment of terrorists and killers," judge Helen Andenaes Sekulic said in her ruling.
The ruling also said the Norwegian state had not violated Breivik's right to a private and family life.
In March, the case raised dismay, and some laughter, among Norwegians taken aback by Breivik's complaints of cold coffee and microwaved meals he said were "worse than waterboarding".
Ahead of the verdict, lawyers for both parties said they would appeal if it did no go in their favour. The lawyers were not immediately available for comment.
Breivik took Norwegian authorities to court in March, accusing them of breaching the European Convention on Human Rights by keeping him isolated from other prisoners.
He killed 77 people in twin attacks in 2011 in the worst acts of violence in Norway since World War Two.
The verdict said the Norwegian state had broken Article 3 of the European convention.
"The prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society. This applies no matter what - also in the treatment of terrorists and killers," judge Helen Andenaes Sekulic said in her ruling.
The ruling also said the Norwegian state had not violated Breivik's right to a private and family life.
In March, the case raised dismay, and some laughter, among Norwegians taken aback by Breivik's complaints of cold coffee and microwaved meals he said were "worse than waterboarding".
Ahead of the verdict, lawyers for both parties said they would appeal if it did no go in their favour. The lawyers were not immediately available for comment.