The international and national obligations against corona virus pandemic and their effect on the human rights

Abstract

At the end of year 2019 a new type of virus appeared and disseminated in various states world-wide, the first of which was china. Within a short period of time this virus could penetrate all the frontiers to become a pandemic. and the available hygienic and scientific methods in the scientifically-advanced states have not been able to get rid of its dissemination, or to find the successful treatments. Therefore the world suffered from a big international hygienic crisis. Although many states launched profound scientific studies to confront this pandemic. The states and international organizations were confronted with a complicated problem, that is to say, to commit their international and national duties and obligations to confront and contain the pandemic, and the extent to which these procedures influence human rights and liberties. The international covenant of economic, social and cultural rights issued by the general assembly of the united nations of 1966 forces the governments to take efficient steps towards the protection from epidemic, endemic and other diseases, and their treatment and prevention. Therefore the article (12) provides for the duty of the contracting parties of the covenant to enable each human being to enjoy the highest level of health, and the necessity of protection from epidemic and endemic diseases and their treatment and prevention. These obligation have been ratified in the international hygienic regulations of 2005, which represent a legislative framework to confront international hygienic threats, including new or old diseases and pandemics, by obliging states with economic and hygienic standards, and providing the assistance to poor states. Therefore, the articles 21, 22 of the constitution of the world health organization award, the international health society, the highest decision-making body, the jurisdiction to issue binding regulations in various fields, including international hygienic regulations of 2005.