The Court Police of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as one of the most active partners in the implementation of the European Union/Council of Europe joint project ''Strengthening human rights treatment of detainees based on European standards and best practices'' invests additional efforts in the protection of health in its dealings with persons deprived of liberty during the on-going COVID-19 emergency crisis. 

More details are available under this link

https://sudpol-fbih.pravosudje.ba/vstv/faces/vijesti.jsp?id=90395 

All Federation BiH court police officers were timely informed, through their organisational units, about the Statement of principles relating to the treatment of persons deprived of liberty recently published by the European Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT).

The peer human rights trainers accredited on behalf of the FBiH Court Police in the past EU/CoE projects have additional tasks. In parallel with the current development of the Protocols for multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of persons deprived of liberty  within the framework of the EU/CoE Horizontal Facility for Western Balkan and Turkey II, the trainers are overseeing implementation of the principles comprised in the CPT’s Statement.

One of the key principles underlined by the CPT in the Statement is that, besides having access to a lawyer and a doctor, and the right to inform a close family member of a third person of their own choice, persons deprived of liberty should be paid particular attention. 

'This includes, inter alia, screening for COVID-19 and pathways to intensive care as required. Further, detained persons should receive additional psychological support from staff at this time.'' Older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions are particularly vulnerable and/or at risk among the population deprived of liberty.

The situation in which the population deprived of liberty finds itself at the moment is also emphasized in the Toolkit for members of the Council of Europe published on 7 April 2020, providing guidance for respecting democracy, rule of law and human rights in the framework of the COVID-19 sanitary crisis.

"The right to life and the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment belong to the core rights under the Convention as they cannot be subject to any derogation, even in time of public emergency such as COVID-19’’ is among key guidelines.  

Article 2 of the European Convention (the right to life) and Article 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment) require positive obligations to protect people in state care against deadly diseases.

The implementation of project activities within the framework of the Horizontal Facility for Western Balkan and Turkey II - "Strengthening human rights treatment of detainees based on European standards and best practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina", jointly financed by the European Union and Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, continues with electronic consultations between the working group members, the project team and donor representatives.