GOVERNMENTS have the right to restrict protests on public
health grounds, the United Nations Human Rights Committee has said, when it
stepped in to formulate its legal interpretation, having seen a gap in the
international norms being tested even before the Covid-19 pandemic.
But with the proliferation of Black Lives Matter protests
and other demonstrations when authorities are trying to stem the spread of
Covid-19, the matter has become more pressing.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
signed by 173 countries, including the United States and China, has always
allowed for restrictions to be placed on the rights of peaceful assembly on
grounds including public health. The new document, called a “general comment”,
confirmed that.
“The protection of ‘public health’ ground may exceptionally
permit restrictions to be imposed, for example, where there is an outbreak of
an infectious disease and gatherings are dangerous,” the report said.
The document’s author, Christ of Heyns, said the legal
interpretation was intended to set out the “rules of the game not just for
protesters, but for police”.
In Zimbabwe, some vigilante groups that masquerade as
opposition activists have been inciting people to pour out into the streets and
demonstrate, ostensibly against corruption but really to subvert the
constitutionally-elected Government.
But with the Covid-19 confirmed cases reaching 3 092 last
night, with 53 deaths after 12 new deaths were recorded in just one day, the
health risks are high.
Of the total 2 042 are local infections and 11 of the 12
new deaths were in Harare, which has now overtaken Bulawayo as the most
seriously hit province. The proposed demonstrations would accelerate the rate
of infection of Covid-19, cases of which are increasing on a daily basis in the
country.
More than half a million people have died from the pandemic
worldwide, with infections now nearing 20 million cases. To curb the spread of
the contagion governments worldwide have put in place different measures that
limit people’s liberties. Herald
0 comments:
Post a Comment