(12.01.2020)
Archiv: emergency laws / enabling acts
Berlin police forcefully disperse protest over virus rules
German police fired water cannons at demonstrators protesting coronavirus restrictions after saying the crowd ignored warnings to wear masks and to keep their distance from one another
Berlin Covid protest broken up near Brandenburg Gate
Police have used water cannon to break up a protest by thousands of people in the centre of Berlin against changes to the law on coronavirus measures.
Berlin authorities said protesters had ignored requests to wear masks.
Summer’s End Scenario: Netanyahu Usurps Democracy and Assumes Absolute Rule
At the end of summer 2020, Israeli democracy died in broad daylight.
Knesset Passes Bill Allowing Gov’t to Bypass Parliament on COVID-19 Regulations
The bill allows the executive branch to sidestep Knesset committees, which the government says cause delays in implementing its decisions. It has been debated by the Knesset and has passed a first vote on Monday night with the support of 47 MKs, while 34 opposed it. It was then approved in its second and third votes, with with 29 lawmakers voting in favor and 24 against.
Knesset Gives Initial Approval for Comprehensive Digital Tracking by Security Service in Coronavirus Fight
Ministers Gabi Ashkenazi, Avi Nissenkorn, Amir Peretz and Izhar Shay opposed resuming the tracking, which was stopped on the order of the High Court of Justice, before the process of finding a civilian alternative is exhausted. Ashkenazi said he didn’t think the current level of new cases justified the resumption of this surveillance. Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman warned that codifying the surveillance in law could expose his organization’s technology and work methods. Netanyahu said in response that “the enemy is already familiar” with the system in question.
Likud, Blue and White agree to revise unity deal after Supreme Court condemnation
The parties also decided that emergency orders instated to fight the coronavirus pandemic would not extend beyond six months.
The bill known as the „Norwegian law,“ which allows any Member of Knesset (Israel Parliament) appointed to a ministerial post to temporarily resign from the legislative chamber, will reportedly be dropped.
COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker
This tracker monitors government responses to the pandemic that affect civic freedoms and human rights, focusing on emergency laws.
coronavirus-icon
In coronavirus pandemic, authoritarians around the world see opportunity to crack down
Leaders with authoritarian instincts may not cede their emergency powers.
Dismantling democracy? Covid-19 used as excuse to quell dissent in Hungary
Hungary’s parliament endorsed a bill on Monday giving nationalist premier Viktor Orban the sweeping new powers he says he needs to fight the new coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus: Salvini defends Orban taking new powers
Nationalist opposition League leader Matteo Salvini said, amid criticism of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban getting full powers Monday, that it had been a democratic choice by the Hungarian parliament.