FRANCE violated the freedom of expression of pro-Palestinian activists who were convicted for campaigning for a boycott of Israeli goods, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled today.

In a ruling hailed as a major victory by the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, the court ordered the French government to pay €101,000 euros (£90,602) in damages to a group of 11 activists.

The protesters, led by French activist Jean-Michel Baldassi, were convicted of incitement to economic discrimination after taking part in a 2009 demonstration at a hypermarket in the eastern French town of Illzach, where they handed out leaflets calling for a boycott of Israeli products.

France’s top court upheld the conviction, but the ECHR found that the criminal conviction had “no relevant and sufficient grounds” and violated the protesters’ freedom of expression.

“This momentous court ruling is a decisive victory for freedom of expression, for human rights defenders and for the BDS movement for Palestinian freedom, justice and equality,” Rita Ahmad of the Palestinian-led movement said in a statement.

BDS activists say that other governments have also tried to use discrimination laws unfairly to target them as the movement has gained growing global support.

It urges boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israeli businesses, universities and cultural institutions as a non-violent means of resisting Israel’s oppression of Palestinians.

Israel claims that the movement’s secret aim is to delegitimise or destroy the country and has called for a tougher European response to BDS activities.