The novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic has touched every corner of the globe and underscored the inequities in our societies. Vulnerable populations, including refugees and persons displaced due to conflict or humanitarian emergency; detained and incarcerated individuals; LGBTI communities; and, above all, persons with disabilities, underlying health conditions, or immunocompromised states, as well as first responders, especially health care personnel and humanitarian workers, face disproportionate risk from the pandemic and many have unequal access to care and services. In a climate of fear, marginalized sectors of society already living in precarious circumstances may confront further alienation and victimization.

The current global health crisis requires a global response. This spirit of collective action has animated Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) from our inception over 40 years ago as a small group of concerned legislators committed to working together to address challenges that transcend borders. Now more than ever, PGA’s international network of over 1,250 members of parliament in 136 countries stands in solidarity with champions of democracy and defenders of human rights and peace worldwide.

Parliamentarians have a key role to play during the pandemic in serving as an essential bridge between the Executive and the people they represent, demanding and overseeing prompt and effective action from Government and the International Community. Parliamentarians now more than ever need the support of peers from around the world to share strategies and effective responses as the pandemic puts new strains on their ability to perform their mandate.  PGA stands ready to assist.

Like all of us, the crisis has affected PGA’s working methods and immediate plans. Adhering to official health guidelines and in the interest of making our modest contribution to halting the spread of the virus, members of our Secretariat at our offices in New York and The Hague are working remotely since the World Health Organization recognized the coronavirus as a global pandemic. As a small team accustomed to supporting a global network, we are fortunately well-poised to make this transition. Public events and gatherings originally scheduled from the second half of March through the end of May 2020 have been postponed (please see our on-line activity calendar for updates).

However, our day-to-day work through which the PGA Secretariat assists and supports members of parliament (MPs) worldwide continues and will be intensified in the absence of in-person meetings.

Our ongoing activities include technical assistance, such as drafting legislative reforms and developing policies that Parliamentarians may use when their national agendas will re-focus on the priorities of the eight PGA campaigns, as well as advocacy, including the preparation of memoranda, position papers or other tools on measures and practices that can boost a more effective role of parliaments in scrutinizing and working with the Government on key issues for PGA campaigns.

While it may not be “business as usual,” our work is more vitally important than ever in two critical respects:

• To our members: You can make a significant contribution at this time by helping monitor and report on the impact of the pandemic on democracy and human rights in your country. As representatives of your constituents, you are closest to the people and can provide “eyes and ears on-the-ground,” sharing valuable observations and experience with the PGA global network. Please do not hesitate to be in touch with any of our Secretariat staff.
   
  Further, at this critical moment, we are privileged to share that PGA is redoubling work on our new core Campaign for Democratic Renewal and Human Rights through a new partnership with Global Affairs Canada.  The project will include the establishment of a Parliamentary Rapid Response Team (PARRT) to take decisive action when democratic values and human rights are at risk. If you are interested in joining this initiative, please contact the PGA Secretariat.
• The second PGA Campaign with direct relevance to the current global health crisis, also supported by Canada, promotes the universalization and full implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention and other relevant international instruments, which reflects our long-term commitment to bio-safety and biosecurity: This area of work has never been of more importance and urgency than it is today.  In this respect, we will continue to post on the PGA website a twice-weekly media-review articles of the most critical issues surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, emphasizing its links with the essential concepts of “national security” and “international security,” which will be debated by legislators and other decision-makers.

As a non-governmental organization (NGO) that embraces the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, PGA warmly welcomes the UN Secretary General’s appeal for a universal ceasefire in all theatres of armed conflict on our planet: In order for nations to unite and prevail against the natural disaster of the coronavirus and the consequent health emergency, the time is now to put an end to the man-made disaster provoked by ongoing wars.

Proportionate emergency measures are justified by the crisis produced by the pandemic. In this respect, we will share news and information about other organizations’ responses to this global crisis, with a view to concrete actions parliamentarians can take. Today, we are pleased to share an excellent resource created by our colleagues at Human Rights Watch, describing the human rights dimensions of COVID-19 response, available at www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/19/human-rights-dimensions-covid-19-response.

We are very grateful for the guidance of donors and partners who have offered support to and are in close contact with PGA concerning the global coronavirus emergency, as well as for the expressions of solidarity and support continuously share by Members.

We at PGA are honored to belong to this unique network of champions for democracy, human rights and peace. We have appreciated your words of support and draw strength from our community. We will face this existential challenge together and redouble our efforts towards realizing PGA’s vision, “to contribute to the creation of a rules based international order for a more equitable, safe and democratic world.”
 
Be safe and well,