This second e-discussion is now concluded, but contributions can still be made (without moderation) until the end of June. You can also use the main Southern Voice & UNDP group page to share new thoughts and ideas with all group members. We hope you will be able to contribute to the other e-discussions happening in this group – currently on civic engagement and civic space (until 14 June).
Accountability, Rule of Law and Human Rights
One of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an over-centralization of power by governments (around the executive branches) leading to a curtailment of civil and political rights as necessary measures to address the health risks posed by the pandemic. There are many reports of excessive governmental reactions, including suppression of dissent and overuse of force. In addition to concerns over executive overreach and consequential shrinking of civic space, there are increasing fears about high levels of perceived corruption related to public spending during the pandemic and questions regarding governments’ management and capabilities to respond efficiently. These are further eroding an already undermined trust in democratic institutions as people demand accountability from state actors and politicians. It is, therefore, crucial to analyze these trends to guarantee checks and balances on executive power to ensure a balanced response and protect fundamental liberties and human rights.
The pandemic has laid bare some of the deep structural inequalities across societies. Population groups most at risk of being left behind are the most affected by the pandemic and often have the least access to decision-making power. Effective recovery requires a human rights-based approach in this crisis response.
In this e-Discussion, as we analyze issues like the changing social contract due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on democratic institutions, civic rights and fundamental freedoms, and peoples’ access to fair justice systems and rule of law, we encourage you to identify trends in your communities and share them here.
In particular, we invite your thoughts on the question:
What are some key policy recommendations, for national and global policymakers, to address the aftermath of Covid-19 with a human-rights approach?
Some additional questions to frame the discussion are:
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What are the implications of the global backsliding in democracy and human rights? Will the trade-off between health and civil and political rights in the short term have longer-term consequences?
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How can independent oversight mechanisms be strengthened to hold governments accountable, including security and police institutions responsible for upholding rule of law? Do people have access to justice to hold accountable those who have violated human rights?
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What is the role of technology in making political institutions accountable? What are the challenges - or opportunities - with the use of technology in decision-making processes?
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How can the relationship between citizens and their representatives be improved, particularly for marginalized groups having limited access to decision-making power?
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What are the key factors that are eroding trust in institutions and what is needed to increase trust levels in democratic institutions?
The moderators for the e-discussion are:
● Carolina Tchintian, CIPPEC - Argentina
● Sarah Rattray, UNDP Crisis Bureau
● Aparna Basnyat, UNDP Oslo Governance Centre
We look forward to hearing your ideas and to an engaging conversation!
First Week Summary
Click here to read a summary of the main topics raised during the first week of discussions.
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Dear Colleagues,
Thank you so much for the extremely interesting discussion over the last two weeks. It has been a pleasure to co-moderate this discussion with Carolina Tchintian and Sarah Rattray.
I think the key points of the discussion have already been summarized by my co-moderators. I would just remark how interlinked the different themes of the 4 e-discussions are to each other. We see issues related to civic engagement and civic space already coming up in this discussion. Gerardo Scherlis , for example, highlights how the increasing political polarization has impacted the ability to respond to the pandemic. Jane Loo also mentions that, as part of social accountability, we need to make sure that citizens are able to meaningfully participate and challenge the arbitrary use of state power – especially to make sure that measures imposed do not further discriminate marginalized populations. Sarah Long emphasized the importance of the use of data as a tool for accountability, including to ‘build data narratives’ and counter misinformation and disinformation, and Mariana Neves of disaggregated data with a need for investment in national statistical systems and broader data ecosystem to provide reliable and accessible data to keep people informed. Priya Sood has also highlighted the role of civil society and broader stakeholder engagement in Voluntary National Review processes as important to make sure all perspectives are included in reviewing progress on the SDGs.
We also already see the issues related to the 4th discussion on transparent, inclusive and responsive public service delivery being highlighted especially in relation to trust in institutions and the ability of the state to provide access to easy to understand and reliable information as has been brought up by Agustina , Gichung Lee and Adedeji and also, as Gerardo Scherlis mentions the need to reinforce capacities of the state to deliver services in a way that is inclusive. Saionara König-Reis and Chelsea both highlight the importance of National Human Rights Institutions so that they are able to monitor the actions of the state to ensure that service delivery is human rights-based. I am also curious to hear more in the coming weeks on the role of technology and both the opportunities and risks involved.
Finally, I would say that the discussion on accountability, rule of law and human rights is very strongly connected to the first discussion on peace and security, not least because all the issues we have discussed here – from increasing inequality and exclusion, political polarization to the arbitrary use of state power – can be the basis for instability and conflict in the future.
Thank you again for all your contributions and we look forward to bringing all this together at the Global Roundtable in the margins of the High Level Political Forum in July.
This discussions space will remain open for contribution until the end of June but active moderation will now conclude.