When considering measures related to the possible introduction of restrictions for unvaccinated citizens, which would refer to their freedom of movement, it must be determined whether such a move is necessary for a democratic society and whether there is a legal basis for it, the office of Bosnia’s Human Rights Ombudsman said on Wednesday.

The institution noted that it received a number of inquiries from citizens, as well as media inquiries regarding the possible introduction of a ban on entering public facilities for citizens without a certificate of vaccination status, negative PCR or antigen test or proof that they recently recovered from Covid-19.

According to the institution, in this case, the public interest is indisputable and the goal is legitimate – to protect the health of the population. However, before making a decision it is necessary to consider the proportionality of measures with the goal that is set and whether it is possible to achieve that goal with less restrictive measures.

Also, before deciding on measures restricting human rights, an assessment of the needs and specifics of vulnerable social groups should be made, as well as an analysis of the impact of measures on exercising the rights of these groups (children, children with disabilities, chronically ill, elderly, people with disabilities, residents of informal Roma settlements, women, homeless people, victims of domestic violence, arrested persons and others), the institution said.

On February 23, the ombudsmen called on all levels of government to promptly procure vaccines against Covid-19 and specifically pointed out the importance of health care, which must be organized in a way that provides protection to the citizens most efficiently.