Contents
Protecting the right to life during the Covid-19 pandemic
The Joint Committee on Human Rights’ work on the Government’s response to Covid-19 and human rights
The necessity to act and the human rights framework
The domestic legislative framework pre-Covid-19
Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984
Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 (now revoked)
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 & Part 2 Regulations
Coronavirus Act 2020 – overview
The Lockdown Regulations – overview
The England-wide lockdown regulations
The local lockdown regulations
Discrepancy between guidance and regulations
Restrictions announced before legislation in force
Lack of clarity from ministers
Difference between parts of the UK
Policing and prosecution issues
The Right to Life, and the Right to Health
Other human rights instruments
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and protection for workers
Advance care planning and Do Not Attempt Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Notices
Changes to social care legislation in the Coronavirus Act 2020
Prisons, young offender institutions and secure training centres
Lockdown conditions and solitary confinement
Detention of young people who are autistic and/or have learning disabilities
The Coronavirus Act amendments to the Mental Health Act
Deprivation of Liberty under the Mental Capacity Act 2005
Releasing individuals from immigration detention
Conditions in immigration detention
Powers Relating to Potentially Infectious Persons
The context of the contact tracing system
The Committee’s work on the contact tracing app
Privacy and discrimination concerns
7 Children and the right to education
School closures and the right to education
Children with special educational needs and disabilities
Expansion of live link technology in court proceedings
9 Procedural obligations to protect the right to life
How the right to life is protected in the UK: the procedural obligations
Interim lessons learned review to save lives
The need for an Article 2 compliant inquiry
10 Accountability and scrutiny
Conclusions and recommendations
Annex: Lockdown regulations in respect of England
List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament
Published: 21 September 2020