Overview

• The Cour de Cassation, France's highest judicial authority, ruled that blocking transport infrastructure is not justified under freedom of expression laws.
• The case involved activists from the Handi-Social group who disrupted train and air traffic in 2018 to highlight inadequate accessibility for people with disabilities in transportation and housing.
• The court determined that the activists' actions caused significant disruption to passengers and transport companies, and occurred in restricted-access areas.
• While the activists argued that their convictions infringed on their free speech rights, the court found the penalties—fines with partial or full suspension—to be proportionate and appropriate.
• Handi-Social plans to escalate the case to the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that the ruling reflects systemic discrimination against people with disabilities.