COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker
Keep Civic Space Healthy
This tracker monitors government responses to the pandemic that affect civic freedoms and human rights, focusing on emergency laws. For information about our methodology, click here.
For more information and analysis by region, click here.
The COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker is a collaborative effort by the ICNL, ECNL, and our global network of partners, with generous research support from the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin. This is an ongoing effort, and we welcome you to email us at adeblock@icnl.org and simona@ecnl.org to share additional resources.
Council of Ministers Decision Regarding the Publication and Exchange of Health Information Related to Communicable Diseases and Epidemics
The decision prohibits any person from publishing or circulating false or misleading health information that is not officially announced or approved by the Ministry of Health. Violations are subject to a fine of up to $5,500.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 18 Apr 2020
Issue(s): Disinformation, Expression
Type: order
Cabinet Resolution No. 17 of 2020
The Resolution establishes that no person shall violate the preventative and precautionary measures, instructions, and duties issued by the Ministry of Health & Prevention, Ministry of Interior, or the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management Authority.
قرار مجلس الوزراء رقم 17 لسنة 2020
إصدار لائØØ© ضبط مخالÙات التدابير الاØترازية والتعليمات والواجبات المÙروضة للØد من انتشار Ùيروس كوÙيد 19 ÙŠØظر القرار على أي شخص مخالÙØ© التدابير الاØترازية والإجراءات الوقائية والتعليمات الصادرة من وزارة الصØØ© ووقاية المجتمع أو وزارة الداخلية أو الهيئة الوطنية لإدارة الطوارئ والأزمات والكوارث.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 24 Mar 2020
Type: order
Resolution No. 38 on Penalties to Contain Coronavirus
The Attorney General's resolution stipulates fines for various violations of Cabinet Resolution No. 17 to contain the spread of Covid-19. The penalties include a fine of AED 10,000 ($2,700) for "organizing gatherings or meetings" or "being present in groups at public places or private farms," and a fine of AED 50,000 ($13,600) for failure to comply with quarantine instructions. The resolution provides that repeat violators will be referred to the public prosecutor.
قرار رقم 38 بشأن العقوبات المتعلقة بالØد من انتشار Ùيروس كورونا المستجد
ينص قرار النائب العام على الغرامات المترتبة على المخالÙات المختلÙØ© لقرار مجلس الوزراء رقم 17 بشأن الØد من انتشار Ùيروس كورونا المستجد. تتضمن العقوبات غرامة قدرها 10,000 درهم (2,700 دولار أمريكي) على "تنظيم التجمعات أو الاجتماعات" أو "التواجد ÙÙŠ مجموعات ÙÙŠ الأماكن العامة أو المزارع الخاصة"ØŒ وغرامة قدرها 50,000 درهم (13,600 دولار أمريكي) لعدم الالتزام بتعليمات الØجر الصØÙŠ. ينص القرار على Ø¥Øالة الأشخاص من ذوي المخالÙات المتكررة إلى النائب العام.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 28 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Assembly, Movement
Type: regulation
Action Under the Federal Criminal Law and the Federal Law to Combat Cybercrime
The Attorney General states that UAE security authorities will impose harsh penalties ranging from one to several years in prison for spreading false information about the coronavirus on social media. Individuals will be held accountable according to the articles of the Federal Criminal Law and the Federal Law to Combat Cybercrime.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 16 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Disinformation, Expression
Type: practice