Siliadin v. France
European Court of Human Rights
ECHR 73316/01 (2005)
- Written by Rich Walter, JD
Facts
Fifteen-year-old Siwa-Akofa Siliadin (plaintiff) was brought from Togo to France by Mrs. D., a French national. Siliadin became an illegal immigrant after her tourist visa expired, and Mrs. D. confiscated Siliadin’s passport. Instead of regularizing Siliadin’s immigration status or enrolling Siliadin in school, Mrs. D. sent Siliadin to live with Mr. and Mrs. B., who forced Siliadin to work long hours as their unpaid housemaid. The B. couple effectively deprived Siliadin of any freedom of movement or free time and exploited Siliadin’s fear of being arrested as an illegal immigrant. Siliadin eventually escaped. Police arrested Mr. and Mrs. B., who were prosecuted and found liable for civil damages. However, the French court acquitted Mr. and Mrs. B. of violating a criminal statute that made it illegal to subject a vulnerable or dependent person to forced labor or living conditions incompatible with human dignity. After Siliadin reached adulthood, she filed a complaint against France (defendant) in the European Court of Human Rights.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning ()
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