Statement
Since 2008, Norwegian activists have asked the courts to control the political process. Even though more and more nations are regulating the cannabis industry to protect public health, the European Court continues to hold that it is “manifestly ill-founded” to question the prohibition regime, and on 20 April 2025 the Alliance for rights-oriented drug policies (AROD) took civil disobedience to a new level with an exhibition that exposes the lawyers who has protected emperors without clothes.
The refusal to inquire whether cannabis prohibition fulfils a legitimate purpose is not objectively justified as Germany and other nations regulate the market to protect public health. On the contrary, ascertainable facts raise doubts as to the impartiality of the justice system, and the European Court of Human Rights must recognise the public’s sensitivity to the fair administration of justice.
This can only be done by allowing Mikalsen v Norway to move forward without obstruction from corrupt or incompetent justices.
Instead, the Grand Chamber should rule on the matter of a legitimate purpose and the oversight and disciplinary procedures should ensure the removal of those justices that has failed to protect and uphold the rights established by the European Convention on Human Rights.
These justices’ actions have undermined the impartiality, independence, and integrity of the ECHR, leaving 700 million citizens without effective rights protection, and the integrity of the European human rights system depends upon procedures to safeguard the accountability and integrity of the Court.
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