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)

• Human Rights in the time of COVID-19: Front and Centre RESOURCE CENTRE

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

• 20 May 2020 – COVID-19: A NEW TROJAN HORSE TO STEP UP AUTHORITARIANISM IN EGYPT

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)

• Democracy in times of crisis

CIHRS Cairo Institute for Human RIghts Studies

• 9 May 2020 Egypt Amendments to Emergency Law exploit Covid-19 to undermine judicial independence

FIDH

• 14 May 2020 Covid-19 and Elections in sub-Saharan Africa: what risks for democracy and human rights? French version here
• 7 April 2020 Cambodia Proposed State of Emergency paves the way for human rights violations
• 30 March 2020 Joint Letter Coronavirus Should Not Be Used to Restrict Human Rights: Clear End Date and Oversight Essential for Emergency Powers in Hungary

HRW

• 3 April 2020 How Authoritarians Are Exploiting the COVID-19 Crisis to Grab Power
• 3 April 2020 The Coronavirus in Europe: From Lockdowns to Power Grabs 

International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)

• 19 May 2020 Special Report on COVID-19: Keeping Justice in Sight
• 27 March 2020  Justice in the Era of COVID-19: Our Global Responsibility

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)

• 22 April 2020 European Union: ICJ joins call for urgent EU response to Hungary’s COVID-19 emergency law
• 8 April 2020 Cambodia: State of Emergency bill violates the rule of law
• 7 April 2020 ICJ Guidance on the Courts and COVID-19
• 6 April 2020 New Zealand: unprecedented lockdown should be carefully monitored
• 3 April 2020 COVID-19 Symposium: The Use of Criminal Sanctions in COVID-19 Responses – Exposure and Transmission, Part I
• 3 April 2020 COVID-19 Symposium: The Use of Criminal Sanctions in COVID-19 Responses – Exposure and Transmission, Part II
• 3 April 2020 COVID-19 Symposium: The Courts and Coronavirus (Part I)
• 3 April 2020 COVID-19 Symposium: The Courts and Coronavirus (Part II)
• 24 March 2020 Thailand: measures under the Emergency Decree to address the COVID-19 outbreak must conform to international law
• 23 March 2020 Hungary: Parliament should not pass COVID-19 permanent emergency powers Bill