PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
International human rights violations during the coronavirus pandemic (21 April 2020)

That this House is gravely concerned by serious human rights violations occurring across the world as a result of the coronavirus pandemic; notes that restrictions on human rights in response to a national public health emergency must be lawful, proportionate, necessary, subject to review, and limited in duration, and that prohibitions against arbitrary deprivation of life, torture and other ill-treatment are absolute; is alarmed at reports of the well-being of vulnerable populations in many countries, such as prisoners, slum-dwellers, the homeless, refugees and migrants, not being properly protected; is also alarmed at reports of governments adopting disproportionate measures which could be used inter alia to suppress freedom of expression and media freedom, such as in Hungary, Cambodia and Thailand, as well as of police using excessive force to enforce restrictions, such as in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa; urges all governments to ensure any curtailment of fundamental freedoms during this emergency are entirely legitimate; and calls on the Government to use its global influence to help curb unlawful human rights infringements during the pandemic and to assist less developed countries in better protecting vulnerable communities and channelling further resources into their healthcare and welfare systems.

Sponsored by:
Margaret Ferrier (Independent)