ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: INSIGHTS FROM REFLEXIVE THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF TRANSNATIONAL PANEL DISCUSSIONS

This study addresses the research question "How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected fundamental rights?" by analysing qualitative data from panel discussions in 9 European countries using a reflexive thematic analysis. The aim is to examine the far-reaching impact of the pandemic on fundamental rights, highlighting challenges such as restricted freedom of movement, freedom of peaceful assembly, restricted human rights on a general and psychological level, disruption of democratic processes and social polarisation. The results of the study, conducted as part of the EU CERV HEARD project, show the deepening of existing inequalities and weaknesses in the protection of fundamental rights in times of pandemic. This study explores the underrepresented views of European residents and citizens on how the pandemic has impacted human rights. It offers new insights into the intersection of health crises and social inequality and emphasises the need for robust policies that protect rights and promote equitable protection. However, the findings are limited by the diversity of the participant sample, so future research should broaden the scope and examine longitudinal effects to improve the generalisability of the research. Keywords: Covid-19 pandemic; fundamental rights; social inequalities; public health policy; pandemic response; human rights; reflexive thematic analysis. RESUMO: Este estudo aborda a questão de pesquisa “Como a pandemia de COVID-19 afetou os direitos fundamentais?†analisando dados qualitativos de painéis de discussão em 9 países europeus, utilizando uma análise temática reflexiva. O objetivo é examinar o impacto abrangente da pandemia nos direitos fundamentais, destacando desafios como a restrição da liberdade de circulação, a liberdade de reunião pacífica, a restrição dos direitos humanos a nível geral e psicológico, a perturbação dos processos democráticos e a polarização social. Os resultados do estudo, realizado no âmbito do projeto UE CERV HEARD, mostram o ...