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State radically restricts civil liberties.
Translated from Dutch. View the original post
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Coronamas rules in Europe impose unprecedented restrictions on fundamental freedoms in the fight against the virus. Can this be reversed quickly?
In order to combat Coronavirus, the state is attracting more power than has ever been shown in modern Western democracies. In one fell swoop, the relationship between state and citizen, in order to protect public health, has changed from more or less balanced to a strong dominance of the state.
It stipulates that the citizen is not allowed to do anything anymore. Addiction bans, schools closed, borders closed, shops closed, work at home, army and police on the streets to ensure that citizens comply with the new rules.
Holidays are forbidden
The national borders, which Merkel did not want to close in 2015 during the refugee crisis, suddenly appear to be partially closed. In addition to shops, theatres and cafes, churches, mosques and synagogues have to close their doors. Holidays in the Netherlands and abroad are provisionally prohibited.
The national borders, which Merkel did not want to close in 2015 during the refugee crisis, suddenly appear to be partially closed. In addition to shops, theatres and cafes, churches, mosques and synagogues have to close their doors. Holidays in the Netherlands and abroad are provisionally prohibited.
In his speech on Monday, Prime Minister Rutte held the midway between the combative tone of the French President and Merkel's sobriety. No war language, nor a complete shutdown of everyday life. However, a careful explanation of the measures taken and an appeal for solidarity.
According to theGerman historian René SchlottEuropean citizens need to think urgently about how far we want to go in the fight against the virus. “With a breathtaking speed, and an astonishing willingness of the people to agree, rights that have been struggled over the centuries,” he wrote Tuesday in a flaming appeal in the Süddeutsche Zeitung. He mentioned freedom of assembly, freedom of faith, the right to education and the right to free travel.
According to theGerman historian René SchlottEuropean citizens need to think urgently about how far we want to go in the fight against the virus. “With a breathtaking speed, and an astonishing willingness of the people to agree, rights that have been struggled over the centuries,” he wrote Tuesday in a flaming appeal in the Süddeutsche Zeitung. He mentioned freedom of assembly, freedom of faith, the right to education and the right to free travel.
If we are not careful, he says, the open society will be turned over in the attempt to save it.
Power seizure
“Look what is now being eliminated: education, art, culture, science, big gatherings. If you didn't know any better, you'd think this is the playbook of a right-wing populist seizure of power.
“As a citizen, I am very worried about the day when we have to return to normality. Is that still possible? Or have there been so many processes in motion that have a dynamic of their own, that we can't go back at all? Because there are new reasons for suspending our rights.
“I do not see any reflection on whether we are on the right track, not epidemiological, but in terms of fundamental rights. We're dealing with a dam breach.
“Look what is now being eliminated: education, art, culture, science, big gatherings. If you didn't know any better, you'd think this is the playbook of a right-wing populist seizure of power.
“As a citizen, I am very worried about the day when we have to return to normality. Is that still possible? Or have there been so many processes in motion that have a dynamic of their own, that we can't go back at all? Because there are new reasons for suspending our rights.
“I do not see any reflection on whether we are on the right track, not epidemiological, but in terms of fundamental rights. We're dealing with a dam breach.
As a historian, I know that the withdrawal of rights is rarely temporary.”
In Spain, the army and police control the curfew so strictly that it reminds Spaniards of the Franco dictatorship. Under Prime Minister Johnson, the United Kingdom seems to opt for a completely different model and for measures that are less coercive. “We are a mature, developed and liberal democracy,” says Johnson.
Source:NRC
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