COVID-19, the Economy and Human Rights: Inequality Is not a Virus, but a Political Choice

SUR 30, v.17, n.30, 85 - 98, 2020

14 Pages Posted: 9 Apr 2021 Last revised: 27 Apr 2021

Date Written: April 1, 2020

Abstract

This article presents a series of reflections on the links between the economy and human rights in times of Covid-19. It argues that the economy and human rights are not incompatible and criticises “the economy first” approach that some governments are promoting, as it leads to the worst of both worlds: a fall in GDP and a rise in deaths. It also warns about the risk of implementing austerity policies, as done in the recent past, and how these policies and confinement increase the burden on women. It presents fiscal policies that could be implemented to finance social justice, while putting people’s needs and rights before capital growth and the interests of large corporations. It also discusses the regulatory conflict between individual property rights and human rights in a range of cases, including investment arbitration. Finally, it offers a series of proposals on economic, fiscal, financial, monetary, social and environmental policies that combine to form a truly transformative agenda.

Keywords: COVID-19, Human rights, Economy, Fiscal policy, Debt

Suggested Citation

Bohoslavsky, Juan Pablo, COVID-19, the Economy and Human Rights: Inequality Is not a Virus, but a Political Choice (April 1, 2020). SUR 30, v.17, n.30, 85 - 98, 2020, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3822675

Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky (Contact Author)

United Nations Human Rights Council ( email )

Palais des Nations
Geneva
Switzerland

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