CEDH · CASELAW;REPORTS;ENG — 13 avril 1994

.sDD6737AE { font-size:11pt } .s211D6B00 { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; line-height:normal; widows:0; orphans:0; font-size:8.5pt } .sBB9EE52A { font-family:Arial }                        EUROPEAN COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS                                FIRST CHAMBER                          Application No. 16941/90                                  R. K. E.                                   against                                   Austria                          REPORT OF THE COMMISSION                         (adopted on 13 April 1994)                              TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                                    Page   INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1   PART I   :   STATEMENT OF THE FACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3   PART II :   SOLUTION REACHED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4                                INTRODUCTION   1.     This Report relates to the application introduced under Article 25 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms by R. K. E. against Austria on 19 June 1990.   It was registered on 27 July 1990 under file No. 16941/90.         The applicant was represented by Mr. Christian Slana, a lawyer practising in Linz.         The Government of Austria were represented by their Agent, Ambassador F. Cede, Head of the International Law Department at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   2.     The application relates to the length of proceedings before the Chamber of the Linz Customs Authority (Spruchsenat des Zollamtes).   On 31 March 1993 the Commission (First Chamber) declared the application admissible.   3.     The Commission then proceeded to carry out its task under Article 28 para. 1 of the Convention which provides as follows:         "In the event of the Commission accepting a petition referred to       it :         a.    it shall, with a view to ascertaining the facts, undertake       together with the representatives of the parties an examination       of the petition and, if need be, an investigation, for the       effective conduct of which the States concerned shall furnish all       necessary facilities, after an exchange of views with the       Commission ;         b.    it shall at the same time place itself at the disposal of       the parties concerned with a view to securing a friendly       settlement of the matter on the basis of respect for Human Rights       as defined in this Convention."   4.     The Commission (First Chamber) found that the parties had reached a friendly settlement of the case and on 13 April 1994 it adopted this Report, which, in accordance with Article 28 para. 2 of the Convention, is confined to a brief statement of the facts and of the solution reached.         The following members were present when the Report was adopted :         MM.   A. WEITZEL, President            C.L. ROZAKIS            F. ERMACORA            E. BUSUTTIL            A.S. GÖZÜBÜYÜK       Mrs. J. LIDDY       MM.   M.P. PELLONPÄÄ            B. MARXER            B. CONFORTI            N. BRATZA            I. BÉKÉS            E. KONSTANTINOV                                   PART I                           STATEMENT OF THE FACTS   5.     The applicant is an Austrian citizen, born in 1956 and resident at Klam, Austria.   6.     The applicant was questioned on 10 November 1984 in connection with failure to present 39 parcels of watches for customs clearance and the offence of breaking customs seals.   On 30 May 1986 a penal notice (Strafverfügung) was issued by the Linz Customs Authority (Zollamt) accusing the applicant of various customs offences under the Code of Financial Offences (Finanzstrafgesetz).   A fine of AS 25,000 was imposed with 50 days' detention in default.   The applicant filed an objection to the penal notice and "full" proceedings were opened before a Chamber (Spruchsenat) of the Customs Authority.   The proceedings ended on 22 May 1991 with a decision of the Chamber to convict the applicant in respect of non-compliance with tax regulations and attempted smuggling.   He was fined AS 20,000 with a compensation order of AS 10,000 and costs.   The charges of breaking customs seals were dismissed for lack of evidence.   The applicant did not appeal.                                   PART II                              SOLUTION REACHED   7.     Following the decision on the admissibility of the application, the Commission (First Chamber) placed itself at the disposal of the parties with a view to securing a friendly settlement in accordance with Article 28 para. 1 (b) of the Convention and invited the parties to submit any proposals they wished to make.   8.     In accordance with the usual practice, the Chamber Secretary, acting on the Commission's instructions, contacted the parties to explore the possibilities of reaching a friendly settlement.   9.     By letter of 3 March 1994 the Government submitted the following declaration made by both parties on the terms of the settlement.   [Translation]           "Declaration of the parties to the friendly settlement         The parties to the present application pending before the European Commission of Human Rights agree the following friendly settlement:         1.   The Republic of Austria will pay to the applicant the sum of       AS 50,000 (including the sum of AS 27,198 by way of costs) as       compensation in respect of any possible claims relating to the       present application.         2.   The applicant declares the present application to be settled.         3.   The applicant waives any further claims against the Republic       of Austria relating to the present application.         4.    On payment of the compensation monies, the applicant will       forthwith and without demand provide the Republic of Austria with       written confirmation of receipt."   [German]               "Erklärung der Parteien zur gütlichen Regelung         In dem gegenständlichen, vor der Europäischen Kommission für Menschenrechte anhängigen Verfahren verständigen sich die Parteien auf die nachstehende gütliche Regelung:         1.    Die Republik Österreich bezahlt dem Beschwerdeführer als       Ausgleich für sämtliche etwaigen Ansprüche im Zusammenhang mit       der gegenständlichen Beschwerde einen Betrag von öS 50.000,--       (darin enthalten ein Betrag von öS 27.198,-- an Prozeßkosten).         2.    Der Beschwerdeführer erklärt seine oben genannte Beschwerde       für erledigt.         3.    Der Beschwerdeführer verzichtet auf die Geltendmachung       allfälliger weiterer im Zusammenhang mit der gegenständlichen       Beschwerdesache stehender Forderungen gegen die Republik       Österreich.         4.    Der Beschwerdeführer wird der Republik Österreich       unmittelbar nach Auszahlung der Entschädigungssumme       unaufgefordert eine Bestätigung über deren Erhalt ausstellen."   10.    At its session on 13 April 1994, the Commission noted that the parties had reached an agreement regarding the terms of a settlement. It further considered, having regard to Article 28 para. 1 (b) of the Convention, that the friendly settlement of the case had been secured on the basis of respect for Human Rights as defined in the Convention.   11.    For these reasons, the Commission adopted the present Report.   Secretary to the First Chamber          President of the First Chamber        (M.F. BUQUICCHIO)                           (A. WEITZEL)