Bosnia’s Constitutional Court Rules Compulsory Muzzles, Movement Restrictions a Human Rights Violation

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has declared unconstitutional some of the restrictive measures introduced in the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection, it was confirmed on Tuesday from the seat of that court in Sarajevo.

At a session during the day, the Constitutional Court ruled that the measure restricting movement at night in force in the Federation of BiH and the obligation to wear protective masks both indoors and outdoors in force in both entities constitute “interference with fundamental human rights.” and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms “.

The assessment of the constitutional judges is that the introduced measures mean a violation of the right to private life and freedom of movement, and it is disputable that the measures were introduced by the crisis headquarters of the ministries of health without the participation of the highest legislative and executive bodies.

Measures to restrict movement at night and the obligation to wear protective masks have been in force in BiH since the escalation of a new wave of pandemics that followed in early autumn, and a group of Sarajevo lawyers appealed to the Constitutional Court.

The BiH Constitutional Court issued a similar decision earlier this year when it declared unconstitutional a provision banning the movement of persons over 65 and under 18 during the first wave of the pandemic.

Source: Jutarnji List