European Court rules in favor of Danish woman after rape case mishandling

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled in favor of a 24-year-old Danish woman, finding that her rights were violated after she reported a rape in 2021. The court’s decision, issued in Strasbourg, confirmed that Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights were breached due to “significant errors” made by the authorities in her case. These articles pertain to the prohibition of inhumane treatment and the right to respect for private and family life.

The case, highlighted in a podcast series, revealed that the woman, named Emma, filed a complaint with North Zealand Police in 2021 against a man for rape. Initially, the case was closed, but later that same year, the State Prosecutor in Copenhagen determined it should proceed to trial. However, for the case to advance, the accused needed to be informed of his upcoming court appearance within a specified timeframe. Due to an oversight by the prosecutor, this deadline was missed, resulting in the man escaping prosecution without ever standing trial.

Emma subsequently lodged a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights, which has now delivered its ruling. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, she is only identified by her first name in media coverage. She has been awarded a total compensation of €20,000, half of which will cover her legal expenses.