Extract from article originally published in French on LDH website, 26 March 2020 – accessible here
The League for Human Rights is well aware that we are facing a major health crisis, which requires the implementation of exceptional measures to stem the spread of Covid 19, slow down the contagion and thus preserve the capacity of the health care system to deal with this virus. As the League has been able to recall in recent days, the right to life and the right to health are fundamental rights. States have a positive obligation to protect this right to life and health against the current coronavirus pandemic.
Nevertheless, the League for Human Rights must also emphasise that, in the implementation of these obligations and in taking exceptional measures, respect for rights and freedoms and respect for the rule of law must be ensured.