THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS

THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS

Human Rights are natural entitlements that accrue to everyone by virtue of being human. They are categorized into civil, political, economic, social, cultural and, collective rights. Examples include the right to life, the right to freedom of expression, assembly, movement, the right to belong to a religion of one’s choice, the right to health, the right to education, the right to property and the right to live in a clean and healthy environment, the right to access information, among others.

In the most recent past, the world was faced and continues to battle with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about by the deadly Corona Virus. Statistics indicate that there are so many cases of this disease and many people have lost lives around the globe, with the worst hit being China, Italy, USA, Spain, Germany, Iran, France, Switzerland, South Korea and United Kingdom. In Uganda, as at 26^th March, 2019, fourteen cases had been reported to have tested positive to the Corona virus.

On 18^th March and in subsequent press and national briefs, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni gave directives on how Ugandans were to conduct themselves in order to curb the further spread of the virus. He is highly appreciated, as the Fountain of Honor, for helping the country cope with the situation and much as the times seem to be pressing hard against the citizenry, one can say that these are strides in the right direction.

It must be stated that this pandemic has had very gross effects on the country in relation to human rights and fundamental freedoms. Uganda is not isolated from the rest of the world but it is evident that a number of people are living in a state of fear and uncertainty. Like any other dangerous or deadly disease, Covid-19 deprives people of their right to life because it leads to death for those it hits severely. It deprives people of their right to work/employment since it leads or has led to closure of work places. The right to freedom of association has been affected because people can no longer sit or spend social time together.

With the ban of public transport, it has resulted in limitation of freedom of movement because citizens have to stay at home. Whether they work from home or simply stay there is question for verification. There are so many people who practice their religion by fellowshipping and meeting up to pray together in sanctuaries but this can no longer hold because there was a ban on all public meetings, gatherings and physical church meetings. The right to health is put into jeopardy. The crippling of the economy restrains people from accessing and having the bascs of life.

Bearing in mind that rights come with responsibilities  and with all these facts, everyone is called upon to follow all directives by the President and the guidelines put in place by the Ministry of Health and other international organizations and agencies by way of ensuring that we wash our hands frequently with soap or alcohol-based solution, cover the mouth with a bent elbow when one sneezes or coughs, avoid touching the face particularly eyes, nose or mouth, keep social distance of at least one metre when interacting and when one feels unwell, let them stay home and inform the local health authorities at the earliest point possible.

Everyone is a human rights defender in as much as they are able to identify and report any human rights abuse or violation. In this situation of Covid-19, we need to keep a close watch on our neighbors so that in the exercise of our rights, we do not infringe on theirs. There is need to remember that ultimately, the ban period will come to an end and we will still need one another. Let’s do our best to live in harmony and support one another to deal with this pandemic.

The writer is A Game-Changer and Human Rights Defender