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In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, over 100 countries have passed emergency laws or declared states of emergency. The restrictive measures have been accompanied by a worrying narrative about the negative impact of these measures on democratic processes and human rights.
The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) and Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) are co-organizing a digital conference concentrating on the nature of emergency legislation adopted in various countries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The digital conference will be based on the presentation of new research findings. The aim is to amass enough information so that we can begin to tackle this narrative on the basis of factual information rather than assumptions.
Agenda
09.00 – 10.15: Welcome and plenary – COVID-19 – a challenge to democratic systems across continents
10.30 – 12.00: Plenary – Protection of human rights and rule of law
12:15 – 13:30: Break-out groups
Principles of scrutiny
Scrutiny in practice
14:30 – 15:45: Break-out groups
Operating between democratic fragility and special powers
Between democratic oversight and democratic backsliding
16:00 – 17:00: Plenary – A global perspective and evaluation
This event is organised as a collaboration between the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).
The conference is free but advanced booking is required.