Religious Satire, Moral Restraint and the Charlie Hebdo Cartoons

In Otto-Preminger, the European Court of Human Rights (EctHR) upheld decision Innsbruck Provincial in Austria ordering forfeiture a film portraying Catholicism satirical form community where vast majority population were Roman Catholics because Austrian authorities had acted to ensure religious peace region as well prevent an unwarranted and offensive attack on their religion. The EctHR considered its function be that balancing two conflicting rights free expression freedom. This article argues it is minority dissenting judgment three judges, which right both freedom stands best protected future. not untrammeled but carries within exercise obligation “moral restraint” judges based opinions. A quarter century after decision, with cases such Charlie Hebdo Murders France, timely consider whether opinions carry seeds wisdom for