'Memory Laws and Freedom of Speech: Governance of History in European Law'

Belavusau, Uladzislau

'Memory Laws and Freedom of Speech: Governance of History in European Law'

in András Koltay (ed.), Comparative Perspectives on the Fundamental Freedom of Expression, Wolters Kluwer, 2015. 537-558

22 Pages Posted: 7 Sep 2017

See all articles by Uladzislau Belavusau

Uladzislau Belavusau

T.M.C. Asser Institute - University of Amsterdam; University of California, Berkeley - Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality & Anti-Discrimination Law

Date Written: September 2, 2015

Abstract

This book chapter scrutinises memory laws, i.e. legal governance of historical memory, in light of their conflicts with freedom of expression. The chapter, therefore, systemizes the genesis and history of memory laws, and explains their proliferation within diverse legal systems. It traces the role of the Holocaust in the turn to law within international, European and national legal regimes after World War II. The chapter also examines the mechanics of that spill-over in various legal settings, and reconstructs current regulation of historical memory in the law of the Council of European and the European Union.

Keywords: memory laws, genocide denial, historical revisionism, hate speech, freedom of speech, freedom of academic expression, right to truth, Holocaust, Armenian genocide

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Belavusau, Uladzislau, 'Memory Laws and Freedom of Speech: Governance of History in European Law' (September 2, 2015). in András Koltay (ed.), Comparative Perspectives on the Fundamental Freedom of Expression, Wolters Kluwer, 2015. 537-558, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3031296