Is the European Court of Human Rights the next stop for this megalomaniac and autocrat?

Summary: The war waged by Battistelli against his own staff escalates even further as the reign of terror continues, some believe as means of scaring the union leaders until they resign or lose their voice, let aside their independence which is long gone

THE ORIGINAL idea behind a civilised, reputable EPO is that it should honour rules/guidelines, but not even its President can honour his very own rules (Code of Conduct). To make matters worse, this so-called 'President' treats so-called 'judges' (a phrase from Donald Trump this week, for those who don't follow US politics) like clowns that can be flagrantly ignored at will. Even the highest court in the Netherlands is being treated like a joke or a circus by Battistelli and his manic protectors. Trump's disdain for judges is well-documented (like calling a US-born judge Mexican, then dismissing his judgment because he wasn't pleased with his supposed background, or more recently firing the Attorney General for saying exactly the same thing that dozens of other judges/solicitors have ruled since). Battistelli is allegedly hoping to be the head of UPC, which is a theoretical framework that would issue judgment enforceable in Europe and beyond! Only a lunatic would give the EPO -- and more so Battistelli -- any additional legal powers. His Napoleonic mindset belongs in the Dark Ages.

When the EPO came into existence it already had a staff union. SUEPO in fact predates the EPO itself (subjected to definition) and it exists to ensure that the staff plays a role in decision-making. Under Battistelli, however, just about every high-profile member (notably leader) of SUEPO was warned and/or severely punished. Battistelli simply refuses to grasp the concept known as "separation of powers" -- a problem which also extends to other parts of an Organisation he does not even lead (e.g. the appeal boards). He threatens and witch-hunts even his own overseers, most recently Roland Grossenbacher.

Lately, SUEPO members/leaders were apparently so mortified that they resigned. Shortly afterwards Team Battistelli went on the prowl/attack again, targeting yet another person in a raid that might resemble East Germany [1, 2].

Yesterday, judging by this comment, it became apparent that some brave SUEPO members/leaders might pursue their battle with Battistelli in Strasbourg, where Battistelli's right-hand man already faces corruption indictments. The comment said: "So what happens now? Having exhausted all available routes under national law in the Netherlands, can SUEPO take an alternative route and sue the EPO and/or the Dutch government in the European Court of Human Rights?"

Another person said that "a case against the Netherlands at the ECtHR would be the most obvious next step…"

Yes, I would imagine that a case against the Netherlands at the ECtHR would be the most obvious next step... hence the reference to Strasbourg in my earlier comment.

The case law of the ECtHR (including Matthews v. The United Kingdom) would seem to be in SUEPO's favour. Also, the Supreme Court's judgement, combined with ILO-AT's judgement 1542, would appear to make it possible for SUEPO to ask the ECtHR for a ruling.

It should now be obvious to all that the EPC lacks the checks and balances that might enable a (single) Council of Europe Member State to ensure that it meets its obligations under the ECHR (with regard to the EPO employees in its territory). In theory, this could lead to liability (at least for EPO host states) for entering into an international agreement that contravenes the ECHR.

Indeed, I believe that it is very important that the ECtHR provides a ruling on this point... otherwise it will establish a precedent whereby Council of Europe Member States can escape their obligations under the ECHR merely by setting up international organisations (and providing them with immunities) for the purpose of conducting activities that would otherwise be illegal within the territories of those Member States.

The following followup rightly points out the political angle/aspect, which we have already commented on in articles like the following:

• Battistelli is an Autocrat Above the Law and It's OK, Holland's High Council Says
• EPO Abuses Now Make the Netherlands Look Like a Facilitator of Human/Labour Rights Abuses
• Media Blasts EPO Over Immunity Amid Suicides, Battistelli's Behaviour Compared to Dominique Strauss-Kahn's
• Leaked: Team Battistelli, Exploiting a Controversial Decision From the Netherlands, is Trying to Squash SUEPO
• The EPO's Freedom to Disregard the Law and Abuse Employees is “Being Taken up by the Council of Europe”
• The Netherlands With Its Bizarre Decision to Let the EPO Violate Dutch Law, Now in English
• “Team Battistelli Continues With Intimidation Tactics”

Dutch authorities must be afraid that if Battistelli is held accountable, then this might somehow scare other international institutions that are grounded on Dutch territories (they can always relocate to Geneva, for instance). Here is the comment:

Given that they will have read the lower court's decision, the Supreme Court clearly was aware of this point. Also, it is hard to believe that SUEPO would not have raised the very same point in their arguments before the Supreme Court. However, the thing that I find hardest to believe is that the Supreme Court would gloss over this point by using one of the most unconvincing excuses I have ever seen.

Never let the legal niceties get in the way of a politically loaded judgment ...

"Reign of Terror" wrote about our articles:

Yes, I would imagine that a case against the Netherlands at the ECtHR would be the most obvious next step... hence the reference to Strasbourg in my earlier comment.

Dream on. As reported on Techrights Battestelli's IU goons are on the prowl in the The Hague. Do you seriously think that anyone will risk taking such a court action under these circumstances?

Some time ago we already said that it's time for SUEPO officials to go fully or partially clandestine. Given the constant attacks by a lunacy-ridden President and abusive high-level management, SUEPO would fully justified in doing so.

The following comment says that if the “President is taking action that is deliberately designed to stop SUEPO," that would be "almost verging on the criminal.”

To quote:

Are you suggesting that Monsieur le President is taking action that is deliberately designed to stop SUEPO (or intimidate SUEPO against) initiating new legal actions? If so, then that is a very serious allegation indeed.

Taking advantage of overly-broad privileges and immunities granted to you is one thing. Going beyond that, by taking action specifically designed to deny individuals (or a union) access to justice in respect of rights enshrined in the ECHR would be something quite different... almost verging on the criminal.

Here is the reply:

Are you suggesting that Monsieur le President is taking action that is deliberately designed to stop SUEPO (or intimidate SUEPO against) initiating new legal actions? If so, then that is a very serious allegation indeed.

Yes that is exactly what I am suggesting.

Taking advantage of overly-broad privileges and immunities granted to you is one thing. Going beyond that, by taking action specifically designed to deny individuals (or a union) access to justice in respect of rights enshrined in the ECHR would be something quite different... almost verging on the criminal.

And what are you going to do about it? Call the cops ?

At the EPO, another person wrote, "[t]o extrapolate to campaigns of terrorising is a large step." Well, how so? It has exactly that effect. Staff officials (representatives) are afraid of management, instead of management being afraid of staff officials. They got it all backwards. To quote:

Indeed there is hyperbole and there is Hyperbole! I'm not sure what the IU rumours are but I've not heard anything untoward recently. Of course, investigations are by mgt decree secret and to reveal is to offend but there is one generally known case currently which does not appear to be controversial from what has leaked out. To extrapolate to campaigns of terrorising is a large step. The real problems should not be diluted by a misguided (or perhaps worried) reaction.

"SUEPO insider" then said...

wrt ECHR: guys let them breathe. They have to held elections in MUC and TH and there is 6 months from the date of the High Court jugement to lodge the complaint there.

Trust them : good things come at the right time

We certainly hope that this will be escalated to ECHR because not only the EPO is at stake but every international institution and Europe's reputation are at stake. This is why we are willing to spent so much time and effort covering the subject. ⬆