Marcin Wiącek took part in the official ceremony opening the judicial year of the European Court of Human Rights
Date:
On 24 June 2022 Marcin Wiącek, Polish Commissioner for Human Rights ,took part in the opening ceremony of the new judicial year of the European Court of Human Rights, which was held in Strasbourg.
The event included a seminar entitled Human rights protection in the time of the pandemic: new challenges and new perspectives, which was opened by Róbert Spanó, President of the Court. A speech on the occasion was also delivered by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunia Mijatović.
The seminar focused on three issues: restrictions on human rights during the pandemic, positive obligations of the states during the pandemic and its impact on proceedings conducted before courts.
During the first panel, measures taken by the states to prevent the spread and impact of COVID-19 were presented and discussed. They involved restrictions on human rights and freedoms on a scale unprecedented in modern times, ranging from nationwide restrictions on the freedom of movement and of assembly, through mass-scale monitoring and data collection, to the implementation of national vaccination and health pass systems.
The second sub-theme was the states’ obligation to protect the rights and freedoms of people under their jurisdiction in the context of the pandemic. This applied, in particular, to protecting human life and health in the context of preventing the spread of the virus, as well as to ensuring access to treatment and health care. Particular attention was paid to the protection of vulnerable groups and people under the state surveillance, such as prisoners.
The third panel concerned challenges and changes in court proceedings during the pandemic. The discussion focused on the Court’s reactions to the requirements related to the health crisis, and the requests received by the ECtHR with regard to proceedings before national courts.
The seminar provided an opportunity to share experience and good practices in the light of certain diverse, complex and significant challenges in the area of human rights, caused by the pandemic. The conclusions of the seminar can serve as an inspiration for current and future responses to health emergencies.
