47th Session of the Human Rights Council - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health
STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LAW ORGANIZATION
23 June, 2021
Geneva (Virtual)
Delivered by Mark Cassayre, Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva, IDLO
Thank you, Madame President.
The International Development Law Organization congratulates the Special Rapporteur on assuming her duties and thanks her for her report.
The Special Rapporteur notes that health outcomes are heavily influenced by underlying and social factors, including gender, discrimination, nutrition, housing, work environment, education, and violence, among others. Many of these factors can be addressed through empowering and including people and adopting fair laws implemented through effective, accessible and accountable institutions: in other words, through a rule of law-based approach.
IDLO’s 2020 report entitled ‘The vital role of law in the COVID-19 response: key lessons from advancing the right to health’ underscores the centrality of the rule of law and good governance to realize the right to health during COVID-19 and beyond.
In a similar vein, last month, at the 74th World Health Assembly, Member States affirmed the need to address the social determinants of health as an integral part of the national, regional and international response to the health and socioeconomic crises generated by COVID-19 and to future public health emergencies. Every social determinant of health has a corresponding legal dimension. States need legal capacity to address them.
As the Special Rapporteur embarks on the implementation of her mandate, we encourage attention to the roles that public health law, the rule of law, and access to justice play in promoting better health outcomes. We would also welcome the Special Rapporteur’s views on how tertiary studies in medicine, law, economics and related disciplines can ensure that future graduates have the skills to support the realisation of the right to health.
Thank you.
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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.
