The civil society all over the world and human rights activists have been very vocal with regard to several sensitive factors that have emerged within the socio-economic matrix because of the uncertain and unfortunate effects arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic. They, quite correctly have been underlining that governments need to respond constructively to the Covid-19 pandemic by prioritising the right to health for all and respect for human rights - particularly with regard to the needs of groups most at risk- those living in poverty, ethnic and religious minorities, women, people with disabilities, older people, migrants, refugees and children. This approach towards the crisis, it is being reiterated, is not one of choice but needs to be viewed as an obligation.
In this context, quite understandably, the first emphasis is being attached with regard to whether the government is providing the citizens with timely, accurate, and accessible information on the spread of the pandemic or following the path of denial with regard to facts revealed through investigative journalism. It is being agreed that there needs to be a factual approach based on relevant details and not the spread of mis-information and "fake-news" through improper use of the social media.
In this context, it is being noted that government officials in several countries -- Belarus, Brazil, Burundi, China, Mexico, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, some States in the United States and Zimbabwe -- have exhibited disturbing denialism about Covid-19, depriving their publics of accurate information on the pandemic. It has also been noted that in some areas of India authorities have done little to curb the spread of viral disinformation which claims that the minority Muslim community is deliberately spreading Covid-19. There has also been criticism that in some cases due to political reasons journalists have been falsely detained on framed charges of attempting to spread mis-information. There has also been criticism about some governments taking advantage of internet shutdowns and restricting access to information online. Bangladesh has been singled out in this regard. Consequently, it is being claimed that those living in the Rohingya refugee camps are having difficulty in receiving life-saving information. Unfortunately however such an accusation against Bangladesh appears to have overlooked that this clamp-down in the Rohingya camps has been undertaken not only for their safety but also to reduce drug smuggling and human trafficking.
The fast spread of the virus in Europe and the rising number of infections and deaths being suffered in different countries like-- Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Greece, Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom-- have also raised the question as to whether affected countries all over the world are being able to provide quality affordable health care for everyone without any discrimination. This aspect has drawn particular attention of activists because there are tens of thousands of people in countries in Europe who are not citizens of those countries and are awaiting approval regarding permanent residency after having submitted asylum applications. Most of them also do not have health insurance. Some of them are probably getting access to national health care and free Covid-19 testing. However, lack of health insurance limits their chance of receiving adequate hospital care if they are to seek admission in the ICU or CCU of any hospital.
Attention is also being drawn by human rights activists to another important point. They are expressing concern as to whether relevant authorities, while implementing forcible quarantine is taking care to upgrade isolation facilities. There has been criticism about infected persons being forced to live in unsanitary and crowded quarantine facilities without clean drinking water and sanitation. This is helping to spread the virus instead of containing it.
The next issue that has been drawing attention has been that of availability of testing kits, being able to obtain such medical testing soonest possible and equitable deployment of ventilators and respirators. We already know that Palestinians living under Israel's closure format and restrictions are passing a dreadful time. Similarly, in Myanmar, internally displaced Rohingyas and other interned ethnic minorities living in camps, with limited health care services require authorities' permission to obtain urgent treatment outside the camps and that is practically nearly impossible. This sad situation is also true with regard to Syrians living in opposition-held areas.
In similar vein, an equitable approach is also being emphasised by analysts in mitigating the effects of this virus. It has been correctly reiterated by the United Nations that all governments should stop enforcing international trade sanctions that might limit access to health care. They have been drawing attention to this because such measures could end up impeding medical efforts in one country and that might in turn end up being a risk for others. It may be mentioned here that continuance of sanctions on Iran has definitely undermined that country's ability to respond to Covid-19.This, in turn, has become a source of anxiety for its neighbours.
The world has also taken note of another strategic aspect that casts a long shadow on containing the effects of this virus. Recent developments in Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa have clearly highlighted the need for looking after the human rights related to health care workers who are at the forefront of mitigating the curse of this pandemic. Inadequate availability of personal protective equipment for doctors, nurses and attendants have already led to many of them being infected by the virus while treating and taking care of their patients.
This has led to the death of a doctor also in Bangladesh. Several other medical personnel in this country have also been infected while looking after their patients and are now under treatment. Hopefully, they will all recover. One needs to thank our government for having taken the requisite step of not only procuring an adequate number of PPEs but also initiating an insurance programme for the health workers who are being exposed to this virus. We need to remember that we all need to work together and look after the needs of others.
Upholding of human rights has many dimensions. Another significant aspect is the question of upholding the rights of those who are detained in prisons on charges of non-culpable offences. In most cases, prisons all over the world, be it in developed or developing countries, critically suffer from lack of adequate space that bar prisoners from practising social distancing. This can only enhance the possibility of generating more infection among the detainees. Overcrowding and poor hygienic and sanitary conditions put them at greater risk of contracting Covid-19.
Consequently, it is heartening to note that as advised by the UN Committee on the Prevention of Torture, Afghanistan, France, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Pakistan, Poland, Sudan, Myanmar and some US States have released some prisoners to decongest their jails. It also needs to be noted that in the United Kingdom and in the USA, legal challenges have resulted in some people winning court-ordered releases from immigration detention. Belgium, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and Spain have also released limited numbers of people in immigrant detention.
Activists all over the world are also carrying out their own surveys to ascertain whether governments are taking proactive steps to ensure continuous access to clean water for everybody. This is being done to ensure handwashing as an important factor related to current public health requirements. Special emphasis is being given to identifying whether all urban areas are getting this facility, especially in the overcrowded poor slum-sections. Some experts are also pointing out that governments need to provide water free of cost for the duration of the crisis to people living below the line of absolute poverty. Japan has already deferred utility payments.
It may be noted here that at least 83 countries have, as part of their emergency policies, imposed measures with regard to movement within the country and also in expressing opinions on issues that are being handled within the context of the urgent situation. Out of this total, only 40 countries have informed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of any derogations being undertaken by them pertaining to their human rights obligations. Some countries have also indicated clear end dates for their emergency powers. However, it has to be understood by activists that the spread of the virus and the possibility of a second round of attack also need to be taken into account. Prevention, after all is better than cure. We have also seen how unnecessary flexibility in tackling this virus and its mutating potential has already created a cyclone of death for people suffering from disabilities and old age complications. In this regard we need to understand that digital surveillance also needs to be deployed for contact tracing, to enforce quarantines and to assess general trends on how the virus might be spreading. This should however not be used in a manner whereby privacy is affected.
In a similar manner, we also need to avoid rhetoric, sponsored by the State or any of its political institutions, that smacks of xenophobia. Discrimination and spike of hate crimes linked to Covid-19 have already targeted Asians in the Middle East, South Asia, in some regions of Europe and also in certain areas in the USA. Such a dynamics will only create further distrust and anger against migrants. This is the last thing that we need to do.
Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador, is an analyst specialized in
foreign affairs, right to information and good governance.
