Judgments - Human rights court rejects complaint about BER airport
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has dismissed a claim against Germany regarding the building permit for Berlin Airport BER. The judges unanimously declared the complaint inadmissible at the Strasbourg court on Thursday.
The case concerned the building permit for Berlin-Brandenburg Airport. The plaintiffs owned property near the airport. They alleged that the authorities made false statements about planned flight routes during the planning approval process. They only realized after the building permit was granted that the noise pollution on their properties was much higher than previously assumed.
Before the Federal Administrative Court and the Federal Constitutional Court, they had no success, so they appealed to the European Court of Human Rights. They referred to their right to a fair procedure and respect for private and family life. The European Court of Human Rights has now also rejected their application. While there were indeed procedural irregularities, the affected rights were correctly weighed in the planning decision.
The ECHR, based in French Strasbourg, is part of the Council of Europe. The independent organs of the EU protect human rights in the 46 member states.
Press release ECHR
- The Council of Europe, which includes 46 European member states, is home to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg.
- The recent dismissal of a claim against Germany by the ECHR pertains to the disputed building permit for Berlin Airport BER.
- The plaintiffs, who own property near the airport, argued that the authorities made misleading statements about flight routes during the permit approval process.
- Despite previous unsuccessful appeals at the Federal Administrative Court and the Federal Constitutional Court, the plaintiffs turned to the European Court of Human Rights, citing their right to a fair procedure and respect for private and family life.
- The Strasbourg court, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, rejected the application, emphasizing that despite procedural irregularities, the rightful weighing of affected interests was upheld in the planning decision.
- Located in Berlin-Brandenburg, Berlin Airport BER is a significant hub in European air traffic, with notable connections to Berlin Airport and BER Airport, serving as the capital city airport.
- Judgments issued by the European Court of Human Rights are binding on the member states and have significant influence in upholding human rights across Europe.
