EU Court of Human Rights upholds vaccine mandate

In a first major blow to anti-vaccine campaigners, a seven-judge chamber, ruled that the request from 672 full-time and voluntary members of the French Departmental Fire and Emergency Services and hospital workers “lay outside the scope” of Rule 39 of the Rules of Court (interim measures).

Under what is now known as Abgrall and 671 Others v. France, the group submitted to the court on August 5, 2021, that it suspend the requirement to be vaccinated in accordance with section 12 of the Law.

They also sought from the court to suspend provisions prohibiting persons who did not comply with the mandatory vaccination rule to return to work and receive their full salaries.

The Court reiterates that measures under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court are “decided in connection with proceedings before the Court, without prejudging any subsequent decisions on the admissibility or merits of the case. The Court grants such requests only on an exceptional basis, when the applicants would otherwise face a real risk of irreversible harm,” read a statement in a press release from the Court.

The French Parliament, in an attempt to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, recently passed a bill mandating covid-19 vaccinations for all health care workers, while requiring persons to show a special pass to enter public spaces like restaurants, theatres, stadiums and arenas.

In response many protests broke out throughout France with protestors contending the move infringes on their fundamental rights.