State Human Rights Obligations Regarding the Distribution of Scarce Health Resources
This report offers a comprehensive overview of case law concerning the rights to life, health, and nondiscrimination in international, regional, and national systems. The focus is on States’ positive obligations to protect the rights to life, health, and nondiscrimination in the context of access to health care, denial of treatment, protection and prioritization of vulnerable populations, and allocation of scarce health and other resources.
The report was commissioned by the Open Society Justice Initiative to support a legal complaint against Bulgaria over the conduct of its COVID-19 vaccination program. It was researched and written by John Harrington, professor of global health law, and Asteropi Chatzinikola, doctoral researcher, Cardiff University.
Q&A: The Human Rights Lessons from Bulgaria’s COVID-19 Failures
A lawsuit against Bulgaria under the European Social Charter seeks to reinforce citizens’ protections in the future—by highlighting policy failures that left the country with the highest COVID-19 death rate in Europe.
As Denmark Plans Housing for Ukrainian Refugees, Justice Initiative Renews Calls for Abolishment of “Ghetto Package”
New measures to override Denmark’s “Ghetto Package” to allow Ukrainian refugees to move into government-designated “vulnerable housing” areas adds to justifications for abolishing these discriminatory housing laws and ensuring that better access to housing and education for all refugees, argues the Open Society Justice Initiative.
Restrictions on Muslim Women's Dress in the 27 EU Member States and the United Kingdom
This policy brief and accompanying fact sheet map EU and UK laws and pending legislation restricting religious dress—specifically the headscarf and face veil worn by Muslim women.
