1 MARCKX v. BELGIUM JUDGMENT In the Marckx case, The European Court of Human Rights, taking its decision in plenary session in application of Rule 48 of the Rules of Court and composed of the following judges: Mr. G. BALLADORE PALLIERI, President, Mr. G. WIARDA, Mr. M. ZEKIA, Mr. P. O’DONOGHUE, Mrs H. PEDERSEN, Mr. Thór VILHJÁLMSSON, Mr. W. GANSHOF VAN DER MEERSCH, Sir Gerald FITZMAURICE, Mrs D. BINDSCHEDLER-ROBERT, Mr. D. EVRIGENIS, Mr. G. LAGERGREN, Mr. F. GÖLCÜKLÜ, Mr. F. MATSCHER, Mr. J. PINHEIRO FARINHA, Mr. E. GARCIA DE ENTERRÍA, and also Mr. M.-A. EISSEN, Registrar, and Mr. H. PETZOLD, Deputy Registrar, Having deliberated in private on 25 and 26 October 1978 and from 24 to 27 April 1979, Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on the lastmentioned date: PROCEDURE 1. The Marckx case was referred to the Court by the European Commission of Human Rights ("the Commission"). The case originated in an application against the Kingdom of Belgium lodged with the Commission on 29 March 1974 by Ms. Paula Marckx ("the first applicant"), acting on behalf of herself and of her infant daughter Alexandra ("the second applicant"), under Article 25 (art. 25) of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms ("the Convention"). 2. The Commission’s request, to which was attached the report provided for under Article 31 (art. 31) of the Convention, was filed with the registry of the Court on 10 March 1978, within the period of three months laid down by Articles 32 para. 1 and 47 (art. 32-1, art. 47). The request referred to Articles 44 and 48 (art. 44, art. 48) and to the declaration made by the