47th Session of the Human Rights Council - Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the High Commissioner on the Central Role of the State in Responding to Pandemics and Other Health Emergencies, and the Socioeconomic Consequences Thereof
STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LAW ORGANIZATION
21 June, 2021
Geneva (Virtual)
Delivered by Mark Cassayre, Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva, IDLO
Thank you, Madam President.
The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) thanks the High Commissioner for her report and commends her Office’s work.
As the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law and access to justice, IDLO attaches the highest importance to good governance and strong institutions and agrees with the High Commissioner that they are crucial elements in responding to the COVID-19 crisis and other health emergencies.
To support policymakers as they deal with the unprecedented policy challenges presented by COVID-19, IDLO published a report entitled “The Vital Role of Law in the COVID-19 Response” and a policy brief on the Rule of Law and COVID-19, which offers eight rule of law actions that States and other actors can take to ensure a rule of law-based pandemic recovery.
The effectiveness of States’ responses to the virus depends upon the capacity of public institutions to implement transparent, effective, and accountable actions. The added value of such good governance is that people are more likely to trust their governments if they are confident that they will be treated fairly and in accordance with the rule of law.
Now more than ever, governments and the international community must work together to strengthen the rule of law as the fundamental enabler to promote peace and justice, as emphasized by SDG16.
To this end, IDLO supports the High Commissioner’s recommendations that legal and policy frameworks should be reviewed to create an enabling environment for protecting the human rights of women, marginalized populations, and those experiencing discrimination. For its part, IDLO is using a participatory approach while working with WHO and other partners to support countries to strengthen legal frameworks for pandemic preparedness and response, consistent with the International Health Regulations.
In conclusion, we ask, how can the international community place greater emphasis on rule of law as an enabler of the right to health, peace, justice and inclusion, in pursuit of SDG 16?
Thank you, Madam President.
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The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity.
