Drepturile Omului (Dec 2021)
COVID-19 and Human Rights – Morten Kjaerum, Martha F. Davis and Amanda Lyons, eds., (Routledge, 2021)
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had and still has an impact on our lives. In this context, the volume edited by Morten Kjaerum, Martha F. Davis and Amanda Lyons provides a perspective on how to secure human rights during pandemics. The socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 are closely linked to marginalisation, discrimination, democracy and inclusion. Each one of the 23 authors who contributed to this book provides different insights on the effects of the current pandemic on different human rights. Considering the vast array of issues tackled by this volume, one can understand how pre-existing conditions have a direct effect on the way the pandemic unfolded in various countries and how various sectors have been affected, from the perspective of measures adopted by governments and human rights violations. The volume is written during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemics, however, it provides lessons that can help one understand the importance of applying a human rights-based approach in the recovery plans. In the foreword, Olivier de Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, highlights the importance of human rights in times of crisis and the idea of international support and partnerships to overcome times like these and to build back better.
