Thread by @WHO

"Thank you for the opportunity of joining you today, and I’d like to express my gratitude to the Russian Federation for convening this very important event, under very difficult circumstances"-@DrTedros addressing 🇷🇺's International Legal Forum on #COVID19

"I also express my sympathy to all those in 🇷🇺 who have lost someone they love to #COVID19 & my best wishes for all those who are now fighting for their lives"-@DrTedros addressing 🇷🇺's International Legal Forum

"We have just marked 100 days since we were first notified of the viral disease which has come to be known as #COVID19, and which has now spread across the world. Not only are we facing health severe consequences, but also major socio-economic disruptions"-@DrTedros

"The #COVID19 pandemic has placed new pressures and responsibilities on states, on communities and on individuals.

The rule of law is what guarantees the functioning and stability of our countries, which together make up the international community"-@DrTedros

"We need the rule of law not only in times of peace, but most especially in times of great uncertainty.
At the 🌍 level, the Intl Health Regulations provide a vital legal framework for bringing all WHO Member States together to confront global health emergencies"-@DrTedros

"The key purpose of the Intl Health Regulations is to prevent & respond to the intl spread of diseases, while minimizing interference with intl traffic, which in this case means supplies of medical goods, food & other essential items & personnel"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"A key principle of the International Health Regulations is that they must be implemented with full respect for dignity, human rights and the fundamental freedom of persons. This is essential"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Rule of law has a critical role to play in fighting #COVID19 pandemic. As countries work to contain and mitigate the virus, many social challenges are arising, which require legal, regulatory and ethical responses"-@DrTedros

"The IHR provides an intl legal framework. In order to be effective & efficient, domestic laws & regulations must also frame the response. They should be clearly articulated, swiftly adopted & implemented, proportionate to the circumstances & limited in their duration"-@DrTedros

"Populations in humanitarian settings are particularly at risk. They have few resources and little access to health care and basic infrastructure. Physical distancing and hand washing may not be possible, which puts whole communities at risk"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Countries who have the heavy responsibility of accommodating these vulnerable populations must be given the necessary tools and resources to protect them and provide them with the support they need"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Many countries have put in place very restrictive measures of physical distancing. These include closing borders, declaration of a national state of emergency, lockdowns of cities or entire countries, and closing schools and businesses"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"In this time of crisis, these unprecedented measures are motivated by the desire to protect their populations by reducing the spread of the #coronavirus and thus “flatten the curve”."-@DrTedros #COVID19

"In implementing these measures, there is a need to respect human rights & dignity, as provided by the Intel Health Regulations, by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms & by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Governments should be transparent with their populations, inform them regularly on how measures are being implemented and on the intended duration of these measures"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"It is critical that governments reassure the population that once the crisis is over, such measures will be discontinued and life can go back to normal"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Countries have to protect & support the elderly, refugees & other vulnerable groups. We’re esp concerned by reports of an increasing trend in domestic violence linked to the #StayHome measures. This must be an area of focus for all countries"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"The restrictive measures governments are implementing are already having a massive impact on livelihoods. We must plan for & take appropriate measures to alleviate the economic impact of the #COVID19 pandemic"-@DrTedros

"#COVID19 is disrupting our societies, but it cannot, and must not, shake our foundations. History will judge us not only on whether we get through this pandemic, but the manner in which we did so"-@DrTedros

"One day, hopefully before too long, this crisis will be behind us. But billions of people will continue to face their own personal health crises every day of not having access to the essential health services they need & of not being able to pay for those services"-@DrTedros

"That is for WHO, there is no higher priority than universal health coverage, so that all people have access to essential health services, without financial hardship"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #HealthForAll

"Countries with strong health systems are the best placed to protect their people and their economies from the effects of health emergencies.

Here too, the rule of law has a central role to play"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #HealthForAll

"Around the world, more and more countries have enshrined the right to health in their constitutions. And more countries are enacting laws to make that right a reality"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #HealthForAll

"Last year, legislators from many countries at the @IPUparliament Congress in Belgrade 🇷🇸 pledged to leverage the power of parliaments to make progress towards universal health coverage"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #HealthForAll

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1224260252754960384?s=20

"Thank you all for your commitment & support for harnessing the law to mitigate the current crisis & to work towards a healthier, safer, fairer 🌍.
WHO’s commitment is to serving all people in all countries to promote health, keep the world safe & serve the vulnerable"-@DrTedros