Freedom of expression and the termination of employment contracts

​​1. Introduction

Freedom of expression is widely regarded as a principal right of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Enshrined in Art 10, it is considered of ‚fundamental significance for the well-functioning of the democratic process‘¹⁾¹⁾van Rijn, A., Chapter 14. Freedom of Expression, in van Dijk, P.; van Hoof, F.; van Rijn, A.; Zwaak, L. (eds.), Theory and Practice of the European Convention on Human Rights⁵ (2018) 765. Cf. Verpeaux, M., Freedom of expression (2010) 9, 11; Grabenwarter, C., European Convention on Human Rights: Commentary (2014) Art 10 m.n. 28.. As the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) phrases it, being able to speak your mind freely ‚constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society and one of the basic conditions for its progress and for each individual’s self-fulfillment‘²⁾²⁾ECtHR 19.1.2006, United Macedonian Organisation Ilinden/BUL, No. 59491/00, m.n. 60; cf. Daiber, B., in Meyer-Ladewig, J., Nettesheim, M., von Raumer, S. (eds.), Europäische Menschenrechtskonvention. Handkommentar⁴ (2017) Art 10 m.n. 1..