2020 HRC Resolution on the central role of the State in responding to pandemics
Analysis of precedential value
This UN Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution was adopted without a vote in July 2020. This document was co-drafted by representatives of 11 Member States, 7 of which were not members of the sitting HRC.
The HRC is composed of elected representatives from 47 Member States; together, they are responsible for coordinating investigations of and responses to human rights violations.
Used as precedent
Access to health technologies
“Calls for universal, timely and equitable access to and fair distribution of all quality, safe, efficacious and affordable essential health technologies and products, including their components and precursors required in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a global priority, and the urgent removal of unjustified obstacles thereto, in accordance with the provisions of relevant international treaties, including the provisions of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) and its flexibilities, as confirmed by the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health” (p. 3)
“Emphasizes the importance of timely, equitable and unhindered access to safe, affordable, effective and quality medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics, and other health products and technologies necessary to ensure an adequate and effective response to the pandemic, including for the most vulnerable people affected by armed conflict, extreme poverty, natural disasters or climate change, and of the urgent removal of unjustified obstacles thereto” (p. 3)