6 key principles to guide the Victorian Government’s response to COVID-19 – May 2020
The Victorian Government has a responsibility to uphold human rights and apply the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities even during the COVID 19 pandemic. In fact, human rights have never been as important as they are now, when the government must act rapidly to protect our right to life and health.
To protect these rights, COVID-19 emergency laws and decisions may need to restrict other individual rights such as our right to freedom of movement, freedom of association and right to privacy. Government decision‑makers have a responsibility to make sure that any limitation of a human right is necessary, proportionate, and time-bound.
Limiting rights under these extraordinary circumstances carries particular responsibilities – the government should ensure additional safeguards are in place for transparency and accountability, and provide support for impacted people.
We’ve identified six important principles that should guide the government’s response and ensure it fulfils its obligations under the Charter. You can download a PDF version of the six principles below.