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On 28 May 2020, the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, held the sixth in a series of discussions, which are now open to the public. 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 6: The response of the African Union’s Governance Architecture to COVID-19

 

Chair: Prof Frans Viljoen
Director, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria

Panelists:

  • Solomon Dersso (HRDA 2003)
    Chair, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
    African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights: Its responses to COVID-19
  • Benyam Mezmur (HRDA 2005)
    Former Chairperson, and current Member, African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
    African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child: Its responses to COVID-19
  • Mary Izobo (HRDA 2015)
    Former Acting Senior Legal Officer, African Peer Review Mechanism; Doctoral candidate, Centre for Human Rights
    African Peer Review Mechanism: Its responses to COVID-19
  • Clement Mavungu (HRDA 2006)
    Legal Counsel, Pan-African Parliament
    Pan-African Parliament: Its responses to COVID-19

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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