大法官運用比例原則作為違憲審查標準,其實質內涵究係如何妥適地運用於實際個案之操作,在我國向來是一個爭議。受到德國聯邦憲法法院之影響,我國學界之通說認為比例原則應包含適當性、必要性及狹義比例原則三個子原則,且三個子原則應具有階層關係;留美學者則力主大法官應針對各種憲法權利的內涵,發展具有實質價值的多元審查標準。如何將不同法系的法學概念融合,本文嘗試從歐洲人權法院審理德國被訴之案件,觀察二者對於比例原則概念詮釋之差異,並分析歐洲人權法院的詮釋方法,以作為我國之參考借鏡。 歐洲人權法院運用比例原則作為審查其會員國採行之措施是否符合歐洲人權公約之規定,主要係判斷該措施是否為民主社會所必要,亦即審查所採取的限制手段如何程度地可以達成特定的目的,且相衝突之公共利益與個人利益間是否達於公正之平衡點。其最普遍運用之方法乃是課與被訴國舉證證明所採行之措施符合比例原則之義務,法院繼而審查被訴國提出之理由是否相關且充分。在相關性之要件上,法院主要判斷手段與目的之關聯性;在充分性的要件審查上,法院則運用多樣化之實質內涵,以衡量相衝突之公共利益與私人利益是否已達於平衡。從德國被訴案件中,益可證實歐洲人權法院審酌之重心,乃在求取個人利益與公共利益之公正均衡,亦即所謂之狹義比例原則的判斷。 從歐洲人權法院之操作方法觀之,比例原則及其內涵之子原則係作為違憲審查之詮釋方法,似無須硬性要求應逐一就三個派生原則依序審查起,又審查之重心,應在於狹義比例原則之判斷,是以如何精緻化並發展出實質的審查內涵,方為我國未來釋憲實務值得努力之方向。
The principle of proportionality under Article 23 of the Constitution provides a main method as to measure the limitation of the fundamental rights when the Grand Justices of the Constitutional Court issue the interpretation of Constitution, but however there is huge controversy over the meanings of this principle. The Federal Constitutional Court of Germany has established a tripartite process of assessment: suitability, necessity and proportionality in stricto sensu. Contrastly, the Supreme Court of the United States has developed diversified standards of judicial review when different fundamental rights are concerned. The question should be raised is how exactly other legal system interpret this principle, if it is possible to combine these two opposite approaches in a coherent way? This thesis will try to use the European Court of Human Rights as an example to examine a distinct aspect of the principle of proportionality. The ECHR determined whether the interference infringes the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms as to review whether it was “necessary in a democratic society”, which is a requirement prescribed by the Convention. It has been stated in the Court’s case-law that the adjective “necessary” implies a “pressing social need”. Therefore, whether it is “proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued” and whether the reasons given by the national authorities to justify it are “relevant and sufficient” are for the Court to decide the final determination. Furthermore, it must strike a fair balance between the interests of public and individual at stake. As a result, examining the circumstances of each case and adopt of a substantial approach in assessment must be a priority when applying the principle of proportionality.