Russian Response to the Spread of the Covid-19 Pandemic: Federal Legislation and Human Rights Within Self-Isolation and Quarantine

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to explore the new Russian Federation legislation and its implementation within comprehensive measures of the State response to the spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The rationale for the research incorporates international, regional, and national law doctrines on human rights. The research aims to consider Russian federal legislation response to the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic from the angle of human rights provision within self-isolation and quarantine regimes. The research sets forth the hypothesis that the human rights provision in times of pandemics and health emergencies sharpens an acute nature of question on balance between individual and community rights protection during coronavirus worldwide spread. The above hypothesis determines a number of research tasks. They are supposed to specify the latest amendments to national legislation branches, explore its implementation with regard to various populations who stay in the country, and consider the individual and collective human rights protection and provision during self-isolation and quarantine regimes. The research materials include decisions, comments and clarifications of the Russian courts of various jurisdictions, with regard to the implementation of legislative changes and measures aimed at counteracting the spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the Russian Federation, The research methodology is based on a comprehensive comparative analysis of Russian legislation, its law enforcement practice during the COVD 19 pandemic. The methods of analysis and synthesis, interpretation of legislation, and case-analysis have been applied. The selection and investigation of cases rests on fieldbased approach, content analysis and coding techniques. The results of the study make it possible to highlight challenges and solutions to the goal of ensuring the rule of law and human rights through the major legislative branches of the Russian Federation. The data shows that Russian courts combine background legislation and latest regulations to consider cases within particular contexts, with regard to concrete, individuals, motives, needs, and deeds. Meanwhile, civil society provides a critical analysis of the situation and mentioned lack of balance between individual and collective rights assurance.