Kosovo’s Court rules unconstitutional Government’s coronavirus measures

Gazeta Express

31/03/2020 17:11

Kosovo’s Constitutional Court ruled as inadmissible the Government’s decision to restrict movement of citizens due to coronavirus pandemic.  

The Court answered to President Hashim Thaci who challenged the Government’s decision taken on 23 March on restriction of movement of citizens to prevent further spread of coronavirus. Following the measures President Thaci said the decision was unconstitutional and addressed the Constitutional Court for an interpretation. The Court ruled that the Government’s decision, dated 23 March 2020, is not in compliance with the Article 55 [Limitations on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms] of the Constitution.  The Court also explained that the Government cannot limit any of the fundamental rights through decisions, if such a limitation of specific rights is not approved with a special law by the Parliament. According to the Constitutional Court the deadline for repealing the decision is 13 April.

Kosovo lawmakers dismissed the Government last week in a no-confidence vote initiated by the junior coalition partner – LDK partially because of the disagreements on how to manage the coronavirus crisis. Caretaker prime minister Albin Kurti sacked minister of Interior, Agim Veliu, a senior member of LDK, accusing him of siding with the President Hashim Thaci by proposing declaration of the state of emergency in Kosovo. The President’s initiative was not supported by the Government saying that the country needs no state of emergency with the justification that the Government is well-prepared in containing the coronavirus crisis. Potential declaration of the state of emergency would give President Thaci additional powers in handling the situation. Kosovo confirmed Tuesday two additional positive cases with COVID-19 bringing total to 108. The Government on 23 March introduced restriction measures of movement n an effort to contain further spread of the virus. /GazetaExpress/