COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the importance of scrutiny over derogations from fundamental rights and liberties. The scrutiny is primarily entrusted to the judicial powers, and several proceedings have already been initiated throughout Europe. Georgia is among the countries that has declared State of Emergency and a derogation from the European Convention on Human Rights, as per Article 15 requirements. Proceedings have been initiated at the Constitutional Court and Courts of General Jurisdiction levels.
In this context, the Venice Commission expert discussed most recent judicial and policy practice throughout Europe, in line with the Council of Europe Secretary General Toolkit of 7 April 2020 on democracy, rule of law and human rights in the framework of the COVID-19 sanitary crisis. As Judge Turava from the Constitutional Court of Georgia noted: “Such discussions promote helpful professional exchange of ideas and generate new paths to tackle currently pending issues”.
The activity was organised under PGG II project "Support to the Judicial Reform in Georgia".
