This webinar will focus on how legislative responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have affected democracy across the Commonwealth. Panellists will discuss the different legislative approaches adopted by Commonwealth member countries, and cases in which the enforcement of emergency legislation has led to the infringement of constitutional rights, abuse of police powers and discrimination against vulnerable groups. The panel will also discuss good practice in enforcing public health legislation while respecting the rule of law.

The discussion will culminate in exploring how Commonwealth member countries should respond to COVID-19 once the pandemic is ‘over’, including what will happen to emergency legislation, and whether loopholes in the legislation could risk abuses of power arising in the future.

Speakers:

Justice Jody Kollapen - Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, and Chairperson of the South African Law Reform Commission

Mr Tushar Mehta - Solicitor General of India

Mr Stephen Twigg - Secretary-General, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

Mr Geoff Lawn - President, Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel Parliamentary Counsel (CALC), Parliamentary Counsel’s Office Western Australia

The Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga (Moderator) - Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Previous Chairperson, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (2013-2016) and CPA President (2018-2019)