On 21 May 2020, the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, held the fifth in a series of discussions with Centre alumni, students and staff. These discussions deal with the potential and actual impact on human rights and democratisation of COVID-19 in Africa.The discussion was held in Zoom.

Theme 5: Human rights protection and freedom from violence during the COVID-19 pandemic

Chair: Dr Thomas Probert
Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria

Panelists:

• Nastasia Thebaud-Bouillon-Njenga (HRDA 2015)
  Gendered impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
• Mitchelle Oyuga (SRRA 2020)
  Right to human dignity and freedom from torture during COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
• Benson Olugbuo (HRDA 2003)
  Policing a pandemic in Africa
• Lloyd Kuveya (HRDA 2006) 
  State-sanctioned violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa

Background

COVID-19 knows no boundaries. It is affecting the whole world, including Africa. Although the pandemic has been late in fully surfacing on our continent, it is increasingly clear that African countries will not remain unaffected. Many countries have taken measures to restrict freedom of movement (through ‘lockdowns’) and have taken other measures to curb the spread of the disease. Already, examples of excessive measures with a disproportionate impact on marginalised groups, and measures exploiting the situation to mask authoritarian tendencies have emerged. There is a need to explore these issues in depth, and from a comparative perspective.

Tapping into the existing network of Centre alumni in programmes dealing with human rights and democratisation (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa-HRDA; and Multidisciplinary Human Rights-MDHR), sexual and reproductive rights (Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa-SRRA), rights of persons with disabilities (Disability Rights in Africa-DRIA), and trade and investment in Africa (International Trade and Investment Law in Africa-TILA), will enable a comprehensive, African-focused, varied and multi-disciplinary perspective on the issue. As alumni are working in various African countries, and are exposed to different facets of the pandemic, sharing experience will be an opportunity (i) to take stock of and identify trends based on what is happening across the continent; and (ii) to learn from each other; (iii) devise joint and individual strategies. Involving our alumni and students in the round tables will also allow greater solidarity and a sense of a shared circumstance and purpose.

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