International Health Regulations have limitations in protecting human rights during global pandemics, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Authors
Irehobhude O Iyioha, University of Victoria, Canada; Harvard University, Department of Philosophy, United States
Devyani Tewari, Assistant Professor of Legal Practice, Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India; NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, India; University of Victoria, Canada;
Summary
This chapter assesses the limits of International Health Regulations (IHR) within the broader context of disaster law, international human rights law and global health law. It examines the objectives and role of the IHR in the management of global disease outbreaks, as well as their strengths and limits to effectively address the demands of a global pandemic. Centering the human rights and the disparate impact of disasters on the vulnerable and the marginalized, the chapter teases out how the system of rules that should protect them in a time of extreme vulnerability-from the IHR and international human rights law to domestic legislation-fail vulnerable and marginalized persons in both subtle and obvious ways. In its final section, the chapter offers suggestions for strengthening the effectiveness of global health law and IDL with a view to advancing international human rights.
Published in: Research Handbook on Disasters and International Law, Second Edition
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