A webinar on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on constitutionalism and the rule of law in the Horn of Africa took place on 25 June 2020. Participants included invited panellists from the region and individuals from the African Union Commission (AUC), the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and other experts and participants from the region.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had huge implications for elections around the world in 2020. At least 70 countries and territories across the globe decided to postpone either national or subnational elections between 21 February and 31 August.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the fragile socio-economic situation in the countries of North Africa, compounded existing challenges and created new challenges to democratization in the region. While much attention has been paid to the question of the consequences of COVID-19 for electoral processes, its impact on constitutionalism and the rule of law in the countries of North Africa has received relatively less attention.
As the COVID-19 crisis worsens, its impact on the democratic development of African countries is becoming a key issue and a priority. Much attention has
been paid to the question of the pandemic’s consequences for electoral processes, constitutionalism and the rule of law. With very few exceptions, its
impact on transitional justice and social cohesion (re)construction processes in the countries of Africa has received relatively less attention.
The Constitutional Performance Assessment of the 1987 Philippine Constitution concluded that most of the technical requirements of the 1987 Constitution have been met but there has not been substantial compliance in the Philippines in terms of meeting the broader external and internal goals of the Constitution, including democratization; decentralization; social justice, human rights, and gender equality; peace and conflict resolution; and economic development.
The launch of the Diploma Course on Parliamentary Governance (DGP)—an initiative undertaken by International IDEA in conjunction with the Higher Education Center of Cochabamba’s San Simón University (CESU-UMSS), and with the support of the Swedish Embassy—took place online in Bolivia, on Friday, 10 July 2020. The five-month Diploma Course is geared towards the young men and young women who are running for the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies in the upcoming 2020 general election, as well as those who ran in last year’s annulled election.
NEW REPORT ON COVID-19 AND DEMOCRACY CALLS FOR URGENT MEASURES BY GOVERNMENTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY
A new report, ‘Global Democracy and COVID-19: Upgrading International Support’, was published on 15 July and highlights how some governments are using the public health crisis to further curtail democratic activities and provides recommendations for policymakers and civil society to counteract the negative impacts of COVID-19 on democracy.
The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge to democracies. A new report identifies initiatives that governments and civil society need to take to rise to this challenge.
STOCKHOLM—Democracies around the world need to adopt new initiatives to ensure the lasting protection of democracy and civil liberties threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this commentary are those of the authors, one of whom is a staff member of International IDEA. This commentary is independent of specific national or political interests. Views expressed do not necessarily represent the institutional position of International IDEA, its Board of Advisers or its Council of Member States.
