Statement by the Secretary General Thomas E. Garrett on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

The Community of Democracies was founded in 2000 with the idea that democracy doesn’t move only from triumph to triumph but faces changing and new challenges.  The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impact on all aspects of public life, including social, economic and political spheres.  States concerned with public health have had to act quickly to address the rapidly changing situation. While this may require imposing extraordinary measures, in a democracy emergency legislation should be temporary, proportionate to the aim of public good and remain consistent with democratic principles enshrined in the Warsaw Declaration and state obligations under international law and human rights standards.