Parents file lawsuit challenging mandatory tests, mask use

A group of some dozen parents have filed a joint law suit challenging the state for imposing mandatory weekly coronavirus testing and face mask use on children.

The parents are simultaneously requesting that these measures are suspended until the court files its ruling.

According to local reports, the lawsuit, which names the Health and Education Ministers as defendants, was filed by the Georgiades & Associates law firm. Lawyer leading the lawsuit Yiannos Georgiades said the first court hearing has been scheduled for May 4 at the Nicosia district court.

Georgiades told media that the numerous decrees issued by the Health Minister based on Article 6 of the Quarantine Law are unlawful, since the specific article allows the Cabinet to issue ordinances, not decrees. These ordinances must then get the nod from Parliament before being implemented.

He noted that the only other way the executive branch could restrict civil liberties would be invoking Article 183 of the Constitution, thereby declaring a state of emergency. But even then, Parliament’s approval would still be required.

Ultimately, Georgiades said the entire situation surrounding decrees that have been affecting the Cyprus population for over a year involves blatant unlawfulness.

The joint lawsuit will argue that the matter directly affects children’s rights, in breach of Article 7 relating to bodily integrity and Article 20 on the right to education. They also believe restrictive measures contravene international conventions regarding the protection of children and human rights in relation to biomedicine.

The decrees also risk causing irreparable harm to children’s mental health but also to their education at a time when important exams are coming up that will impact their future, the lawsuit will argue.