Emerging Legal Control of Infectious Diseases in Nigeria: A Violation of Human Rights

Abstract

This paper examines the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020 of Nigeria. It shows that most of the provisions of the Bill give absolute powers to health personnel and police officers to carry out acts that violate the rights of Nigerians including compulsory vaccination, forceful take over, closure and destruction of properties and illegal powers to amend schedules and suspend parts of the bill by the Minister of health. It considers the rights violated under International and Nigerian laws. It examines the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria violated by the Bill. It concludes that for the Bill to be acceptable and effective in democratic Nigeria, its provisions must be reviewed in line with the Constitution of Nigeria and other human rights laws.

Keywords - COVID-19, Human Rights, Infectious Diseases, Vaccination.

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/100-09

Publication date:August 31^st 2020