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Jesus and Maria advertisements violating the public morals

Jesus and Maria advertisements violating the public morals

Advertising is legally protected by the constitutional right, freedom of speech. However, can this freedom be limited if certain advertising is harmful or insulting to certain religious groups? This question arises regarding the campaign of the Lithuanian clothing company, Sekmadienis. On the posters there is a man accompanied with the text: “Jesus, what a trousers!”, another poster shows a woman with a bead and the text “Maria, what a dress!” and on the last one Jesus and Maria together with the text: “Jesus Maria, what are you wearing!”

The Catholic church and a hundred others filed a complaint against the advertisements. In first instance, the campaign is prohibited for violating the public morals. Sekmadienis receives a fine of 580 euro, but appeals the decision at the European Court of Human Rights. The Court declared that the advertisements are not unnecessarily offending or insulting, neither do they incite hatred. Furthermore, it is not motivated clearly why the use of religious symbols is violating public morals. The freedom of speech of Sekmadienis prevails and the state has to reimburse the fine.

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• Tijdschrift HART vs Hermitage: soortgelijkheid
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