07 October 2021
International Pandemic Lawmaking: Some Perspectives from Behavioural Economics
In this brief essay, we wish to highlight some insights from behavioural economics that can contribute to a successful process of international pandemic lawmaking. Our interest here is not to engage with individual or collective psychological reactions to pandemics or other large-scale risks, or with substantive policy made in their wake. Several such behavioural issues and dimensions have been dealt with elsewhere, not without (ongoing) spirited debate. Here, however, while building on related frameworks of analysis from the field of behavioral economics, as applied to international law (including nudge theory), our focus is on the process and design of pandemic international law-making. Continue reading >>
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30 September 2021
Limiting Human Rights during Pandemics
A pandemic instrument should recognize the changed landscape of the international community and enhance roles for and communication between regional and global governmental bodies and especially non-governmental actors. I recommend a new international instrument on pandemic response be explicit about reporting requirements when governments suspend rights during such emergencies. Continue reading >>
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28 September 2021
Killing Locally or Killing Globally
The pandemic status is also a political exercise and a way to phrase a crisis according to political interests. As long as some diseases do not reach a pandemic level, they would not elicit the immediate financial help and international cooperation, which has at least been promised (if not delivered) during COVID. Continue reading >>
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23 September 2021
Human Rights and Global Responses to the Pandemic in the Age of Hyper-globalization
Setting out new norms and arrangements for the provision of global public goods for pandemic preparedness and response should be a centrepiece of a new legal instrument that is capable of challenging market power, and builds on human rights principles in synch with the age of hyper-globalization. Continue reading >>
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22 September 2021
Webinar: Beyond the State – Global Health Governance
Amid contention that global governance was unprepared and incapacitated in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this November, a special session of the World Health Assembly will convene to discuss a potential international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. Marking the launch of the 'International Pandemic Lawmaking: Conceptual and Practical Issues' Symposium, this webinar will bring together leading scholars to critically discuss cross-cutting themes of the Symposium, and key points of contention and recommendation for the future of global pandemic governance. Continue reading >>
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21 September 2021
Governance Needs for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPR)
The COVID-19 pandemic has been characterized by mistrust in science, the manipulation of science for political purposes, the “infodemic” of mis- and disinformation, and a repeated failure to base policy decisions on scientific findings. The crisis of confidence in scientific analysis is paradoxical and disquieting, particularly in light of increasing international regulation to manage acute or systemic risks and its reliance on science. Continue reading >>
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04 August 2021
Die Konstruktionsfehler des § 28a IfSG
Die aktuellen flächendeckenden Corona-Bekämpfungsmaßnahmen wie Maskenpflicht, Abstandsgebote und Beschränkungen bei Veranstaltungen werden fast alle auf den im November 2020 ins IfSG eingefügten § 28a gestützt. § 28a IfSG wurde in einer Situation konzipiert, die in vielen Punkten nicht mehr mit der jetzigen vergleichbar ist. Für die weitere Epidemiebekämpfung im Spätsommer und im Herbst muss die Norm dringend überarbeitet werden. Continue reading >>03 August 2021
„Nicht niemals“ – Mit der Infektion leben
Hat sich nichts verändert in dem unsicheren Wellenritt, den wir gemeinsam mit der Weltgemeinschaft in Sachen Pandemie seit 18 Monaten unternehmen? Im Folgenden soll gezeigt werden, dass die Fortführung der bisherigen Coronapolitik „auf Sicht“, mit einem Großmandat für exekutive Problembehandlungen, aus verfassungsrechtlichen Gründen nicht zur freien Hand von Regierungen und Parlament gestellt ist. Continue reading >>28 July 2021
Rechtmäßigkeit und Semantik der Impfpflicht
Mit Fortschreiten der COVID-19-Impfkampagne haben die Diskussionen darüber zugenommen, ob sich das Ziel einer hinreichenden Durchimpfung der Bevölkerung allein durch Impfangebote, also auf freiwilliger Basis, oder nur über eine Impfpflicht erreichen lässt. Unter den gegenwärtigen tatsächlichen Bedingungen und im Hinblick auf die derzeit absehbaren tatsächlichen Entwicklungen wird sich eine staatlich angeordnete („indirekte“) Impfpflicht in verfassungsgemäßer Weise nicht rechtfertigen lassen. Continue reading >>31 May 2021