Fight against the spread of COVID-19 should be in solidarity and simultaneous with human rights violations and politics free. HRLRC hails CHRDA for its contributions to the vulnerable persons

The Covid-19 pandemic is one of the catastrophic crises we are facing in modern times, it has affected the whole world both economically, politically and sociocultural. The global health crisis with its effects is causing untold suffering to the vulnerable population especially does in conflict areas. The viral disease which was first identified in Wuhan-China has claimed more than 200, 000 lives globally and got more than three million people infected Cameroon inclusive. The only vaccine for the viral disease right now is to keep to the preventive measures put in place by the World Health Organization and the various government. These measures are strict and for the interest of mankind.

Since its outbreak in December 2019, the human rights concept has been downgraded and coupled with other forms of violations/abuses especially in conflict zones; human rights violations/abuses have been committed against the civilian population by warring parties as to the case of the ongoing armed conflict in the English Speaking Regions of Cameroon. Perpetrators are wandering our streets in front of the already flimsy laws without fear of justice. This is because the attention has been tilted toward the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the rise of human rights violations, it is better we concurrently fight against the health crisis and other forms of the already existing crisis. The time is now than ever before that we need to uphold the African proverb “be your brother’s keeper” and fight against a common enemy which has only come to killed and destroyed our dream for globalization. According to the Barrister Agbor Nkongho, a freedom fighter, human rights activists and the founder of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, “we should simultaneously fight against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic alongside other problems/crisis which threatens humanity” The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ recently in the face of this pandemic call for a global ceasefire.

This global health crisis differentiates not the political class, the rich nor are the poor from others, all human beings a target even with modern and developed health facilities. There is a need for us to stand up together, work together, and not politicized nor racialized our efforts in combating the spread of this COVID-19 pandemic.

The medical doctors, nurses, and the entire health facilities in the world at large are doing an enormous job in fighting against the spread of this pandemic.

Efforts by the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, Cameroon based NGO, in sensitizing and providing to the vulnerable population essential needs like hand wash buckets and reusable facemasks is a welcome and befitting contributions in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 as a Civil Society Initiative. Their targeted groups are the vulnerable population including the Internally Displaced Persons/Refugees/returnees and the disabled

Some of the preventive measures include.

• Wash your hands frequently with running water and soap
• Maintain social distancing in public places (stay at least one meter away from another person)
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
• Practice respiratory hygiene: This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
• Stay safe and avoid crowded places
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing (symptoms of the disease), seek medical care early
• Stay informed and follow the advice given by your healthcare provider.
• Wear your face mask

Berinyuy Cajetan, Publisher

Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.