Human Rights

EU Watchdog calls for Ban on Surveillance Tool Pegasus

February 16, 2022

The European Union's data protection watchdog called for a ban on the spyware tool Pegasus, developed by Israeli-based NSO Group citing that Pegasus may potentially lead to an "unprecedented level of intrusiveness, able to interfere with the most intimate aspects of our daily lives."
England set to U-turn on Mandatory Vaccines for Health Care Staff

February 02, 2022

Following the decision to lesson covid restrictions, the U.K. government will review its plan to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for health and social care workers in England, potentially halting the mandate as Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the House of Commons that mandatory vaccination was no longer « proportionate ».
Austrian Parliament Approves Vaccine Mandate for Adults

January 25, 2022

In vote with 137 to 33 in favor, Austria’s parliament voted to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults from Feb. 1, with maximum potential fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4,000) for people who don’t comply after a series of reminders.
Online Advertising Based on Sensitive Information Banned in EU

January 25, 2022

EU lawmakers voted on amendments to the proposed Digital Services Act (DSA), setting out their unified position to ban certain « surveillance capitalism » practices based on sensitive information such as political affiliation, potentially reshaping the online service model that is heavily dependent on targeted advertising.
England: Face Mask Rules and Covid Passes to End

January 19, 2022

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced an end to many Covid restrictions, including face masks and passes, citing that the nation must deal with coronavirus as it deals with the flu.
Austria’s Vaccine Mandate Begins February 1

January 19, 2022

The Austrian government has announced that it will make coronavirus vaccination mandatory from February 1, with those who refuse the order receiving penalties from €600 to €3,600 up to four times a year.
Lynas: Analyzing the Ashers bakery Cake Case

January 17, 2022

The Tablet: Lawyer Peter Lynas analyses the Ashers bakery case that has been in the headlines and the courts for the past eight years.
ECtHR: Bulgaria's Surveillance Laws Breach European Human Rights Convention

January 12, 2022

Bulgaria’s surveillance laws violate the European Convention of Human Rights according to a recent ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) citing that Bulgarian legislation was not able to meet requirements of keeping surveillance to only collecting what is absolutely necessary.
Turkey’s Top Court Goes Against ECtHR Precedent in case of Jailed Journalist

January 04, 2022

In a ruling running counter to a precedent set by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) which faulted Turkey in the imprisonment of journalist Ilıcak, the Turkish Constitutional Court found no rights violations in the case of journalist Cemal Azmi Kalyoncu, who was jailed in a mass crackdown following a failed coup in Turkey in 2016 and was jailed for almost four years on terrorism charges.
UK Government Reveals Reform Proposals to the Human Rights Act

December 15, 2021

The UK government has launched reforms to the Human Rights Act that will remain within the European Convention on Human Rights while insisting on the primacy of the British justice system instead of looking to the European Court of Human Rights, based in Strasbourg.