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On the Rights Protection of Vulnerable Groups Under the Prevention and Control of a Public health Crisis: A Literature Review and Perspective for Future Directions

  • ZHANG Wanhong , 1 ,
  • DING Peng , 2
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  • 1. Ph.D. in Law, School of Law, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Professor, School of Law, Wuhan University; Executive Director, Wuhan University Institute for Human Rights Studies; Research Chair, Wuhan University Academy of International Law and Global Governance, Wuhan 430000, China.
  • 2. Ph.D. candidate, School of Law, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China.

Published date: 15 Mar 2021

Copyright

2021 Higher Education Press

Abstract

The legal system for prevention and control of a public health crisis rests on two pillars: human rights protection and good governance. This duality is well illustrated by substantively equal treatment of vulnerable groups in a pandemic from the perspectives of public service, social inclusion, accessible environment, gender equality, and right to health. A review of literature on this topic shows that current research needs to address the gap between “life supremacy” and “equal protection” in the area of human rights protection, and the gap between “putting people first” and “strict control at the grassroots level” in the area of good governance. The research should employ intersectional methodology to highlight the rights logic of the socialist legal system and the key role of the Communist Party of China’s leadership in balancing individual versus community rights, enhancing the governance capability for participation by multiple social agents, ensuring equal protection for disadvantaged groups, promoting inclusive and sustainable development, and realizing the common prosperity of all the people.

Cite this article

ZHANG Wanhong , DING Peng . On the Rights Protection of Vulnerable Groups Under the Prevention and Control of a Public health Crisis: A Literature Review and Perspective for Future Directions[J]. Frontiers of Law in China, 2021 , 16(1) : 104 -121 . DOI: 10.3868/s050-010-021-0006-7

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