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COVID-19 vaccination programmes give reason to hope that emergency public health measures can soon be repealed. However, a historical perspective on emergency measures in response to terrorism suggests caution is required in order to avoid the ‘normalisation’ of these measures.
COVID-19 has been difficult for all, with lockdowns hitting minorities even harder. Governments have exploited the pandemic to ramp up existing anti-LGBTIQ+ discrimination, highlighting the European LGBTIQ+ movement’s need to strengthen support for activists and diversify funding sources.
COVID-19: Threat to rights tests European LGBTIQ+ community resilience Read More »
COVID-19 has highlighted an increasingly powerful and intrusive digital culture. While data protection is often sacrificed for the public good in emergencies, it is important to recognise and safeguard its vital role in defending other rights, particularly in difficult times.
Rethinking the Significance of Data Protection Rights in Times of Crisis Read More »
The perpetration of disappearances is a crisis which has worsened in the context of COVID-19. Conflict textiles are embroidered pieces of fabric which depict disappearances and other forms of violence, and are created to highlight and condemn these acts. They are a form of activism ‘from below’ that respond to human rights violations.
Enforced Disappearance, Conflict Textiles and Human Rights ‘From Below’ Read More »
International human rights law is geared toward protecting rights of individuals. COVID-19, however, necessitated widespread restrictions placing the common good above personal liberties. Such derogations should be explicit, clearly defined and limited to safeguard against creeping normalisation of exceptional provisions.
COVID-19: Safeguarding Rights of Individuals Against Normalisation of Emergency Measures Read More »
COVID-related restrictions have unduly impacted freedom of religion or belief of individuals and communities globally, while religious minorities have suffered disproportionately during the pandemic. However, faith communities can play an important role in overcoming this crisis and future ones.
The Role of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Tackling the COVID-19 Pandemic Read More »
The Brazilian federal government has closed the country’s land borders, citing the need to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Lacking in legal grounding, the closure increases the vulnerability of migrants, including their exposure to human rights violations.
So Brazil has Closed its Land Borders: Who Cares? Read More »
Mandatory vaccination interferes with personal integrity but may be necessary to safeguard public health. However, states must consider all relevant factors in context and ensure such policies do not place disproportionate burdens on those hesitant about vaccination.
Apart from being a public health emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic is also a global crisis of public law and human rights. Emergency measures introduced in many countries pose concerns from the perspective of constitutional and international law.
Emergency Measures, Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Face of COVID-19 Read More »
Lockdowns compounding lack of freedom. The COVID-19 pandemic has made voicing one’s views and protesting together impossible at times. But has this led to total silence? No. People across the globe have managed to express themselves, alone or together, offline and online, in new and creative ways.
Could We Meet Online? Creative Protests During COVID-19 Read More »