One of the major short and long-run concerns is whether efforts to combat COVID-19 will intentionally or unintentionally diminish political rights and civil liberties. Experts have begun to reflect on this concern:
- The potential for a power grab due to COVID-19 (https://africanarguments.org/2020/04/07/coronavirus-beware-the-power-grab/)
- Examining policing approaches during COVID-19 lockdowns (https://theconversation.com/why-heavy-handed-policing-wont-work-for-lockdowns-in-highly-unequal-countries-135989)
- Malawi plans July vote despite coronavirus (https://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/malawi-electoral-commission-plans-vote-coronavirus/5366748.html)
- Virus prevention measures turn violent (https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/04/02/africa-coronavirus-pandemic-violence-confusion/) (https://www.france24.com/en/20200328-virus-prevention-measures-turn-violent-in-parts-of-africa)
Do you think governments are exploiting or may exploit the COVID-19 pandemic to curtail citizens’ political rights and civil liberties? Share your voice in the comments.
