You are entitled and encouraged to complain if you believe that you have been unlawfully restricted from participating in public discussions.

Administrative proceedings

If your participation in a public discussion or consultation has been curtailed by an administrative act, you may contest it in an administrative court. Similarly, if you have been prevented from participating in a public discussion or consultation by the actual conduct of the institution, such as being physically denied access into the room where the discussion is taking place, you may contest it in administrative proceedings as well. The procedures for filing these complaints are prescribed by the Code of Administrative Court Procedure.

If you succeed in contesting the administrative act, the act will be overturned. Alternatively, if you succeed in contesting the actual conduct of the institution, the institution will be required to fulfil its obligation to hear you out on the matter on which the discussion or consultation was held.

If your complaint is unsuccessful, you have the option to appeal the judgment of the administrative court to the circuit court within 30 days. If the circuit court also rejects your appeal, you may appeal, within 30 days, to the Supreme Court.

Complaints to international human rights bodies

If you believe that the violation of your rights has not been remedied by Estonian institutions or courts, you can submit a complaint to international or European institutions, such as the European Court of Human Rights or the UN Human Rights Committee.

Resources

Last updated 08/04/2023