The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the close links between authorities’ responses to a health crisis, and the rule of law. A4ID has examined these measures, such as limiting individual freedoms by collecting and processing private data, to general population confinement – including strict quarantine – in a new report. 

These measures question the principle of the rule of law: were they taken by competent authorities, in accordance with the procedures and conditions established by law, without giving rise to discrimination?  

A4ID’s report considers the relevance of the rule of law in the event of major crises: can countries with a robust legal system be considered better equipped to deal with an epidemic? Should development aid programmes aimed at strengthening the rule of law in developing countries include this dimension of crisis resilience in their support? 

The paper offers recommendations as to how programmes aiming to strengthen the rule of law in official development assistance-eligible countries, and legal sector actors (especially those involved in pro bono technical assistance), can meaningfully contribute to this response. 

Read the report: The Rule of Law in Times of Health Crisis 

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