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Democracy, Justice, Rule of Law

All over the world, the Covid-19 crisis is exacerbating pre-existing social, political and economic problems rooted in structural inequality, exclusion and injustice. In fragile and conflict affected countries the pandemic will be yet another crisis compounding those already afflicting these countries and their populations with potentially devastating impacts on marginalised and vulnerable communities. Perpetrators may see this crisis as an opening to commit crimes with more impunity; fragile justice and peace processes could potentially break down and conflicts reignite.

Democracy and the Rule of Law must not be victims of the coronavirus emergency. As governments are adopting measures against the coronavirus, a number are equally seizing the opportunity to ramp-up anti-democratic measures aimed solely at shoring-up their political agendas, stifling opposition and silencing critical overview. No emergency measures warrant a government to repress and deny fundamental rights and freedoms. Emergency measures, whatever their nature, must be necessary, proportionate and with clear sunset clauses.

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)

Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR-Centre) TRACKER

  • COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY DATA The following information reflects measures taken by states in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic that may influence the state’s ability to ensure the rights and obligations protected by the ICCPR.

EuroMed Rights

Fairtrials TRACKER

  • Covid-19 Justice Project shows how criminal justice systems around the world are being affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and responses to it.

European Partnership for Democracy (EPD)

CIHRS Cairo Institute for Human RIghts Studies

FIDH

HRW

International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)

World Coalition Against the Death Penalty