CEDH · PRESS;GENERAL;ENG — 18 janvier 2002

.s800EAC49 { font-size:12pt } .s5FFF0A77 { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:1pt } .sBB9EE52A { font-family:Arial } .sFE10DC93 { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center } .s29100277 { font-family:Arial; font-weight:bold } .sA1D3DA2E { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify } .s94935B0F { width:389.85pt; display:inline-block } .s4DDA3AA3 { font-family:Arial; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic } .sA36B60A1 { font-family:Arial; font-style:italic } .s2EB42ED2 { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt } .sB4D5CB4E { width:4.94pt; display:inline-block } .sC5412BEF { width:51.05pt; display:inline-block } .s85226119 { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify; font-size:10pt } .s7A5A2521 { font-family:Arial; font-size:10pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic } .s2CE7C1B9 { font-family:Arial; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic }   EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS     025   18.1.2002   Press release issued by the Registrar   HEARING POSTPONED IN THE CASE OF VICTOR-EMMANUEL OF SAVOY v. ITALY   On 17 January 2002 the European Court of Human Rights (Fourth Section) decided to postpone until 16 April 2002 the hearing originally scheduled for 22 January 2002 in the case of Victor-Emmanuel of Savoy v. Italy (application no. 53360/99).   The Court’s decision was reached following exchanges between the parties, ending with a message to the Court from Mr Gianni Letta, State Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, at the request of the Prime Minister.   Summary of the facts   Victor-Emmanuel of Savoy is the son of Umberto II, the last king of Italy. He left Italy in 1946 when his father went into exile following the proclamation of the Italian Republic. Since the death of Umberto II on 18 March 1983, he has been head of the House of Savoy.   He complains that he has been banned from entering and staying in Italy by the Italian Constitution, which entered into force on 1 January 1948. According to the first paragraph of Article XIII of the transitional and final provisions of the Constitution, “members and descendants of the House of Savoy shall have no voting rights and shall not be entitled to hold public office or to stand for election”. The second paragraph stipulates that “former Kings of the House of Savoy, their spouses and male descendants are banned from entering and staying on Italian territory”. The Italian courts have issued a number of opinions ( Consiglio di Stato) and decisions (through the ordinary and constitutional courts) interpreting the latter paragraph. In its latest opinion, the Consiglio di Stato stated that the applicant could not enter Italy until Article XIII was no longer in force.   Complaints   The applicant alleges a violation of the second paragraph of Article 3 of Protocol No.   4 to the European Convention on Human Rights (prohibition of expulsion of nationals). He also complains that he has been discriminated against, in breach of Article 14 of the Convention (prohibition of discrimination), and that he has been denied his electoral rights, guaranteed by Article 3 of Protocol No. 1 (right to free elections). He claims that, in consequence, the Italian State has breached Article 3 (prohibition of degrading treatment).   Registry of the European Court of Human Rights F – 67075 Strasbourg Cedex Contacts:   Roderick Liddell (telephone: (0)3 88 41 24 92)   Emma Hellyer (telephone: (0)3 90 21 42 15) Fax: (0)3 88 41 27 91   The European Court of Human Rights was set up in Strasbourg in 1959 to deal with alleged violations of the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights. On 1 November 1998 a full-time Court was established, replacing the original two-tier system of a part-time Commission and Court .