Diversionary Measures for Children in Conflict with the Law

In recent years, the Cambodian Government has ramped up its crackdown on a perceived “drugs problem”.  Within this context, many children and young people, from varying backgrounds have been caught up and sentenced long prison for non violent and/or misdemeanor type infractions.

A community development and dialogue driven NGO based in Cambodia, This Life believes that sentencing children and young people to long, disproportionate sentences in prison is wrong in the light of the harm that this has on childhood and adulthood.

This Life advocates for the development and delivery of Diversion Programs, which are community-based programs of action, that are used as development pathways for children, and which are adopted as alternative prison sentences

By Philip J Gover BA MA MPH

Impact, Learning & Effectiveness Lead – This Life

 

Diversionary Measures for Children in Conflict with the Law

 A Public Health Response

A Community Development Action Research Project

 Links to the Full Report at the end

 

This Life is an NGO, based in Siem Reap, Cambodia.  This Life is a community development driven NGO, that places dialogue at the forefront of development.  Using these development tools, This Life discovered a depth of community concern, that related to young people who were in conflict with the law.

In Cambodia, it is not uncommon for young people to spend disproportionately long sentences in prison, for nonviolent and/or misdemeanor type infractions.

12 years ago, This Life was talking with communities, about children who found themselves in conflict with the law.  This happens everywhere, we know.  However, from our conversations, we discovered that communities thought that the ways in which children were punished, was both inappropriate and wrong.

From discussions, we realised that many young people faced long sentences, in overcrowded prisons, for minor, non-violent misdemeanor type offences.  We also learned of other things, that spending long periods of time in prison, effectively ruined their chances of establishing and developing their education.  We learned of health problems and other explicit risks, which to be frank, children and young people really shouldn’t have to face, in any setting, in the 21st Century!

In time, this conversation developed further, so, This Life conducted a primary research project.  The project attempted to perception test the value of diversion – which refers to community-based programs of action, that are used as development pathways for children, and used as alternative sentences to prison.  It’s worth noting that we are talking about children and young people who commit minor, non-violent offences.

We thought that the research might reveal a lot of objections to this concept, but no.  There was really no resistance to this at all.

From our research we recognised the drivers of crime.  Drugs (recreational drug use and addiction related) were a primary root cause.  Theft was often opportunistic and linked to drug related addiction.  Theft was also linked to poverty, with crimes of personal desperation also acting as a root cause.   Upon assessment, we noted that majority of child convictions were for non-violent offences, mostly drug related, and theft.  In 64% of cases, children said their drug use had led them to commit crimes.  In summary, we noted that young people, from poorer families and whom already had an incomplete education of some sort, were extremely vulnerable to conviction.

In Cambodia, the law on Juvenile Justice came into force in 2017.  Indeed, the law does state that detention before or after conviction, should be a last resort for children.  Unfortunately, since then, things having quite evolved in quite the same spirit.  In fact, we have seen a tripling of children and young people entering prison.

There are a number of ways to explain this, but for now, let me explain it like this.  It’s difficult to see change unfold on a daily basis, but over time it becomes clear.  Perhaps clearer in those eyes of a foreign witness like me.

Cambodian urban centers have grown and rural districts have dwindled.  New housing developments and consumption patterns are promoted daily, through new forms of mass media.  The nation is entertained via a thousand global digital channels.  Machines of convenience and consumer goods are visible and available.  Under the eyes of abundance, alcohol remains cheap and consumption has risen exponentially, in line with multi-million-dollar advertising campaigns that target young people across every conceivable sensory landscape. In line with modest increases in disposable income, recreational drug use is now common, although viewed and abridged alongside drug injecting addiction.  Young people’s lifestyles and aspirations have also changed – especially amongst the urban dwellers.  Cambodian customs and tradition remain strong in the mind’s eye of young people, but they also know how to play Grand Theft Auto!

At the same time, and set against all of this, is that volume of poverty, that eclipses middle-class neighborhoods.  Cambodia is still characterized by some of the poorest communities in SE Asia – and ironically, these communities sit cheek and jowl across Cambodia’s skyscraper capital.  In this environment, multiple deprivation is raw, real and often obscene.

In recent years, the Cambodian Government has ramped up its crackdown on a perceived “drugs problem”.  Within this context, many children and young people, from varying backgrounds have been caught up and convicted within the same net.  So now, it would appear that the system has the capability to displace one problem with another.

There is an abundance of evidence that illustrates the heightened risk(s), that being in prison has on an individual’s life – both in the short, medium and long term.  This needs no defense.  This is largely because we know of those toxic elements that co-exist within prison settings, and which are at complete odds with a core principle of justice – law and order, or loss of liberty and rehabilitation.  The following is just a simple list of common risks that we know exist and are associated with prison settings:

  • Extreme overcrowding of prison cells – contribute to mental health risks
  • Poor nutrition and lack of exercise – contribute to physical health risks
  • Poor hygiene – contributes to fast-track transmission of preventable disease
  • Person to person bullying and sexual assault
  • Illicit drug abuse
  • Gang and criminal association
  • Increased criminal awareness amongst prisoners
  • Limited education and development opportunities
  • Identity loss and stigma ownership – contributing to broken family and social relations
  • Future employment barriers

Collectively, these are risks that are supplementary to the loss of liberty and pursuit of rehabilitation.

From our research we recognised the drivers of crime.  Drugs (recreational drug use and addiction related) were a primary root cause.  Theft was often linked to drug related addiction.  Theft was also linked to poverty, with crimes of personal desperation also acting as root cause.

This Life believes that sentencing children and young people to long, disproportionate sentences in prison is wrong.  We recognise the harm that this has on childhood and adulthood.

As a community development and dialogue driven NGO, we advocate for the development and delivery of Diversion Programs, which are community-based programs of action, that are used as development pathways for children, and which are adopted as alternative prison sentences.

Summary of the Research Project

Objectives

  • To perception test the value of Diversion, as development pathways for children, and which can be used as alternative sentences to prison.
  • To identify the status of implementation of the Cambodian Law on Juvenile Justice, including the main progress and gaps in implementation.
  • To understand why progress towards reform has been slow despite the adoption of the Law in 2017.
  • To gather the views and experiences of children in conflict with the law, community representatives, police and judicial officials.
  • To determine how best NGOs can support initiatives towards building a child-friendly justice system in Cambodia.

Method

  • Desk research involving discussions with relevant local and international actors, and an analysis of the situation of children in Cambodian prisons based on existing literature, This Life’s own research and relevant international standards.
  • Surveys with 76 children, including 11 girls, currently held in Siem Reap prison accused or convicted of misdemeanor crimes
  • Interviews with 13 children in Siem Reap prison, including three girls and interviews with seven children who have been released from prison.
  • Surveys with 77 community members and interviews with members of Commune Committees for Women and Children.
  • Interviews with regional police representatives, judges at Siem Reap Court, and members of the local Department of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (DoSAVY).

Results

  • The majority of child convictions were for non-violent offences, mostly drug use, drug trafficking and theft. 64% of children said that their drug-use had led them to commit crimes.
  • Siem Reap has a significantly higher rate of child prisoners than any other province.
  • 89% of children surveyed had never been to prison before. The majority had enough stability and security in their lives to support diversion and community-based alternatives to prison.
  • 58% of community members thought that prison was bad for children and only 13% thought that children who commit non-violent crimes should be sent to prison. The majority thought that education or vocational training would be the best alternative to prison for children.
  • Officials are supportive of the law and are keen to begin implementation as soon as possible.
  • Stakeholders agree that NGOs can play a key role in helping authorities implement alternatives to prison for children.

Conclusions

The main impediments to implementing the law are not resistance towards and misperception about alternative measures, but a lack of effective coordination and commitment amongst all stakeholders, and a lack of clear directives and budgetary allocation from authorities. Without the support of local NGOs, it could be a very long time before there is a significant decrease in the numbers of children being sent to prison

Recommendations

  • This Life to work closely with children, families, communities and authorities to assist implementation of the Law.
  • This Life to offer individual, tailored support to children diverted from the criminal justice system.
  • The focus of juvenile justice reform should be crime prevention and diversionary measures.
  • Reform initiatives to be closely monitored to ensure they are in the best interests of the child.

Final Word

This Life is currently in the process of developing an exciting prospectus of new community action research projects, that will seek to amplify the value and importance of community driven dialogue.  We will seek funding to conduct this research, and act on the evidence that it delivers.  We will use the evidence base as a means to influence and invigorate ill-advised juvenile justice practice, and represent the long-term interests of children and young people.

This Life is pleased to announce that at the time of writing, resources have been made available, that will enable This Life to deliver Cambodia’s first Youth Diversion Project.  This will occur in Siem Reap Province, during 2021.

Clicklink:  No Place for a Child – This Life Full Report English

Billy Gorter will be presenting this research online, at the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Conference, Milan, June 7-11, 2021.

 

Biography

Billy Gorter – Executive Director – This Life

Billy is a passionate activist and advocate for change, bringing more than 20 years of experience tackling conservation, social and human rights and educational issues in Australia and Cambodia to his role as Executive Director of This Life. Billy launched This Life Cambodia in 2007 based on his founding principles of listening to, engaging with and advocating alongside communities. This development philosophy achieves high-impact outcomes and sets best practice for international development. Billy is internationally sought after as a speaker and is passionately committed to addressing the rights of children through education, juvenile justice and advocacy.

Contact:   billy@thislifecambodia.org   www.thislife.ngo

 

Philip J Gover – Impact, Learning & Effectiveness Lead – This Life

Philip is a graduate from Durham University Business School (UK), with an MA (Business Enterprise Management), MPH (Public Health) from the University of Northumbria and a BA Hons’ in Community Development from Durham University. As a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health and Chartered Management Institute, Philip has worked in developing countries in East Africa, South East Asia and various youth settings across Europe. Following 3 years’ involvement with Northumbria University Sustainable Cities Institute, he spent 12 years working as a Senior Public Health Manager with the UK NHS, and as a Director of a Social Housing Association and Citizens Advice Bureau.

Contact:   philip@thislifecambodia.org   www.thislife.ngo

 

 

 

 

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Commentary on ‘More for The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) – Impakter’

A meaningful commentary here – in the light of a timely OIE article  making clear world global priorities – whereby ‘...bolstering the resources of the UN generally and OIE in particular as well as veterinary and human public health systems needs to become a top global priority, including placing a huge emphasis on preventive measures and providing the infrastructure necessary to sustain human and all other life -especially in low and moderate income nations.’

By George Lueddeke PhD MEd Dipl.Aves (Hon.)

Programme Lead, International One Health for One Planet Education Initiative

Research Associate, Centre for the Study of Resilience, University of Pretoria

Advisor in Higher, Medical and One Health Education

Southampton, United Kingdom

 

Commentary on

More for The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) – Impakter

Co-authored by Dr. Bruce Kaplan, co-founder, One Health Initiative and Dr. Richard Seifman, Board Member, United Nations Association, Washington Area

 

This timely and informative article makes clear where global priorities lie. There are over 8.7 million animal and plant species on Earth (“vast majority are animal”) with most remaining unidentified and ‘cataloguing them all could take more than 1,000 years‘.

We – homo sapiens–  are but one of these – unquestionably responsible for the on-going sixth extinction phase (last one wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago) and, as underscored in Survival: One Health, One Planet, One Future , all 7.8 billion of us and with numbers rising exponentially – are paying a steep price  for placing most of our faith and values  on technology and scientific progress while ignoring, even tolerating, on economic  grounds, known human rights abuses and the criticality of social harmony and peace to ensure sustainability of the planet and species.

Mirrored throughout  human history, divisive ideologies (ism’s), ruthless ambitions and basically human greed continue to characterise a globe in 2021 where only about 6 per cent of all nations are now categorised as fully democratic: governments freely elected by and  for the people at a time when climate change, the biosphere and zoonotic pandemics  – which cross all boundaries- remain our biggest threats. Without a moral compass to guide us, we appear to be heading toward a scenario where  data runs the world, not humanity and compassion for those disenfranchised or most in need, where truth is subordinated to disinformation and where military use of force to deny freedoms and extremist “thuggery and disorder”  have become all too commonplace.

The yearly funding allocations assigned by  the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) clearly  favour human- centrism over eco-centrism  as USD $5.6  billion (2020/2021 budget ) are allocated to the WHO; $2.8 billion, to the FAO ; but only c. $36 million, to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

In sharp contrast, global military expenditures in 2020 amounted to roughly $1.9 trillion (one trillion = 1,000 billions).  Given the devastating impact of Covid-19 on economies and society generally, bolstering the resources of the UN generally and OIE in particular as well as veterinary and human public health systems needs to become a top global priority, including placing a huge emphasis on preventive measures and providing the infrastructure necessary to sustain human and all other life -especially in low and moderate income nations.

Underscored in Survival, public health  presently receives only about 5 per cent  of global / national health budgets while most funding (c. 95 per cent)  is  allocated to treatment or clinical health -mostly in high income nations and certainly not to preventive measures related to infectious diseases originating from animals (c.75 per cent) or conditions (environmental degradation) caused directly by us that undermine the sustainability of the planet – causing climate change and destruction of the biosphere  and impacting mostly on those living  in poverty (in poor and rich nations!).

The return on investment (pay-off) from “robust veterinary and human public health systems” and reduction of pandemic risk was estimated at a 11:1 ratio in a 2014 report. This data was based on a severe pandemic costing c. USD $3.6 trillion (4.8 % of GDP). However, largely because of  a “cycle of panic and neglect” since 2014 (e.g., prioritising military security over health security), the cost of Covid-19 to Oct 2020 was already  USD $11 trillion (rich countries) and c $42 billion (low income) with likely trillions to follow in 2021 and perhaps more in 2022.  While the root cause is the spread of the coronavirus with 124,389,117  cases and  2,737,666 deaths (23.03.2021),    the world is learning that it is  very much a social class crisis and should be a wake-up call for those ignoring or oblivious to this reality.

Education, formal and non-formal, remains our best route toward sustaining the world we inhabit. New knowledge and competencies are required to tackle global, regional, and national risks, including poverty, inequality, racism / social exclusion, corruption and, in the immediate, undoing the damage done by Covid-19.  As we prepare for a “new” normal, our most important challenge is re-shaping global belief systems that depend on competition rather than on collaboration and seek to divide rather than unify. The younger generation has the most to lose if things don’t change now but most to gain when they do.

Supporting the aim of ‘delivering an education to all’, the international One Health for One Planet  Education initiative (1 HOPE) focuses on recognising the interconnections of humans, animals, plants, in a shared environment with a view to underpinning the UN-2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the final analysis, building trust, compassion and resilience among the global community while nurturing respect for the whole Earth are the essence of achieving planet sustainability. Sadly, however, many lessons have not yet been learned by decision-makers – political and corporate – as human progress – to our peril- continues to be seen in economic, competitive  and  expansionary terms rather than through the UN-2030  Transformative Vision – economic, social and environmental.

In light of the timely OIE article, let’s hope we are not sleep-walking to dystopia but give the animal world the opportunity to thrive as without it – and plants of course – we would all surely disappear as have 99.9 percent of the species that have lived on this planet previously. Time to stop, think and do?

Comments welcomed

 

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Unleashing the True Potential of Data – COVID-19 and Beyond

The myriad of data sources now available create a real challenge for even the most literate of analysts and researchers, when trying to make sense of the emerging picture of COVID-19, in real time. Against this background, it could be argued that what we now need is greater synthesis of information, where data from multiple sources is combined and refined, to improve clarity and reduce the ambient “noise” that is currently in the system

By Dr. Brian Johnston

Senior Public Health Specialist

London, United Kingdom

Unleashing the True Potential of Data – COVID-19 and Beyond

 

 

In many ways data is like sugar. In the correct amounts, it can fuel of our brains, unleash our energies and bring sweetness and happiness to our lives. But too much data can sometimes be difficult to digest and lead to a chronic “decisional diabetes,” where multiple perspectives complicate and hamper effective decision making and the creation of practical solutions.

COVID-19 has underlined and accentuated the potentially toxic effects of data and how, when used inappropriately, it can compromise decision making and generate confusion.

In the early days of the pandemic little was known about the virus, and in the race to answer important questions, data sources quickly sprang up. This was completely understandable, as we had been plunged into the unknown and any form of illumination was welcome. However, a year has now passed since COVID-19 turned our lives upside down and the data landscape has changed radically.

With the advent of mass vaccination, hope has finally entered into the equation. The threat from COVID-19 remains, but perhaps we can now learn some lessons, which will be of benefit in future pandemics and health emergencies.

The need for evidence-based decision making was clearly underlined from the start of the pandemic and this need is still with us. Good quality data, the sugar of human cognition, is absolutely essential for this form of decision making and measures should be taken by everyone to promote it.

The myriad of data sources now available create a real challenge for even the most literate of analysts and researchers, when trying to make sense of the emerging picture of COVID-19, in real time. Against this background, it could be argued that what we now need is greater synthesis of information, where data from multiple sources is combined and refined, to improve clarity and reduce the ambient “noise” that is currently in the system.

We are not seeking “truth,” or even a single version of the truth, but “clarity” and as much as possible, good quality data. In this way, we can facilitate evidence-based decision making, catalyse effective planning and ultimately save lives and resources, through the efficient and timely co-ordination of action, at a local, regional and national level.

At present, there is the real danger that the wide range of data sources on COVID-19 will potentially stifle the response to the pandemic at multiple levels by allowing undigested data to exercise its toxic effects on the bodies (organisations) tasked with responding to the emergency. Letting this state of affairs continue runs the risk that such bodies will suffer from a debilitating “decisional diabetes,” where evidence-based decision making is compromised, effective planning curtailed and practical action hampered.

So, how do we avoid the toxic effects of decisional diabetes?

Well, both communication and co-ordination are required, together with a genuine desire to address the problem at the highest levels of government.

Initiatives promoting the sharing, exchange and discussion of data between professionals, such as the Future NHS Collaboration Platform and websites summarising data for the general public e.g. the official UK Government website for data and insights on Coronavirus (COVID-19)  are to be welcomed, but they are only part of the solution.

At a practical level, the formation of a national organisation specifically tasked with receiving health data, analysing, modelling and moulding it into actionable (real world) solutions, would address many of the issues surrounding health data toxicity. Working closely with government departments, this organisation would nevertheless be independent of government. Its mission and duties would be enshrined in law, so that the scope of its remit would be clearly specified and the boundaries of its responsibilities understood.

This “national health institute” would quickly swing into action at times of pandemic or health emergency, but at other times would address health inequalities on an ongoing basis, whilst actively seeking ways to overcome barriers to health and well-being. The organisation could also act as a natural focus for implementing changes to information governance, health technology and the promotion of data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

I’m sure that many countries would argue that they already have organisations of this type. But do they in reality? What has COVID-19 taught them?

When the dust has finally settled from the current pandemic, nations will be able to gauge their response to COVID-19 and how their organisations and infrastructure will need to change to meet future health challenges.

The possibilities are endless, with the right data…

 

 

 

 

Justifying Emergency Measures to Tackle Covid-19 Crisis in Europe

Since last year in March, I have been following the Covid-19 pandemic crisis closely. In view of the fact that the Covid-crisis continues in Europe as well as other parts of the world, I would be grateful for your response to my open letter below, thanks in advance

By Raymond Saner, Ph.D.

Professor Titular University of Basle, Switzerland 

Director, Centre for Socio-Eco-Nomic Development, Geneva, Switzerland

Accredited by ECOSOC since June 2014 Special Consultative Status to the United Nations

www.diplomacydialogue.org

raymond.saner@unibas.ch
 
Open Letter

Justifying Emergency Measures to Tackle Covid-19 Crisis in Europe

 

Thesis 

The Covid-19 crisis in Europe requires dramatic measures such as declaring it a national and regional emergency justifying emergency measures such as compulsory licensing and requisition of national production facility for emergency production of covid-19 vaccines. 

Current situation 

The pandemic situation in several European countries is dire such as in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Northern Italy and other regions and sub-regions of Europe.

Most experts agree that vaccination is urgently needed for the following reasons:

-Traditional preventive measures are efficient in holding down infections (distancing, hand washing, wearing of masks) but not effective in stopping the spread of the pandemic. 

-The new variants (Brazilian, South African, English) are speeding up infection rates and new variants will most likely emerge the longer the pandemic is not stopped effectively. 

-Treatment of highly infected patients (maximum treatment measure) are reported to cost up to 1 million CHF/USD and these costs do not include the treatment costs of other Covid-19 patients with less life-threatening treatment needs. 

-Health personnel are reported to be insufficient in numbers and affected by overwork and emotional stress making it difficult to imagine that our current health providers can last for several more months in current conditions. 

-Mass vaccination is understood to be the best and only treatment to increase herd immunity and to stop the spread of the virus.

Concern has been raised by representatives of the business community that a longer lasting lock-down and confinement could lead to an increase of bankruptcy, higher unemployment, higher needs for financial support and growing disincentives for entrepreneurs to stay in business in light of the restrictive measures that our authorities need to impose to contain the spread of the virus.

And – the amounts of vaccines needed to urgently vaccinate large parts of the population to reach herd immunity and to prevent infections are not available in sufficient quantities for various reasons.

Question 

In view of the points listed above, why is not possible to call the ongoing pandemic a national security situation and to use compulsory licensing and forced production through requisition of existing laboratories to produce as fast as possible the quantity of vaccines that are needed to avoid a situation where the pandemic continues, the new variants possibly render current vaccines less effective and the available human and financial resources become exhausted and ineffective?

 

Thanks for contributing answers and suggestions to the points and question listed above

 

News Flash 421: Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

News Flash Links, as part of the research project PEAH (Policies for Equitable Access to Health), aim to focus on the latest challenges by trade and governments rules to equitable access to health in resource-limited settings

News Flash 421

Weekly Snapshot of Public Health Challenges

 

Global Trends in 2021: How COVID-19 Is Transforming International Development 

WHO: VaccinEquity Social Media Toolkit  

WEBINAR: ONE HEALTH EN EL CONTEXTO DE LA ACTUAL CRISIS MUNDIAL  día 6 de Marzo de 2021, 10:00 hrs a las 12:30 hrs (Hora de la ciudad de México; GMT -6) 

Webinar Registration Quality, Speed & Equity: Delivering COVID-19 Vaccines to the World Mar 15, 2021 10:30 AM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)   

Webinar registration: Covid-19 vaccines: Low supply despite huge demand. What can we do about it? Mar 17, 2021 01:00 PM in Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna 

Sign the European citizens initiative: Everyone deserves protection from Covid-19 No profit on pandemic 

Webinar registration form: KEEPING MOMENTUM ON FEMINIST CHANGE March 09, 2021 at 3pm – 4pm  

Webinar registration form: AGENCY AND EMPOWERMENT FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS BEYOND COVID-19 March 11, 2021 at 1pm – 2pm 

Course Announcement- IPHU Barcelona: How to Transform our Healthcare Systems (May to June 2021): how to apply 

Global Integration Updates Special News–March 2021 Issue 57  

Neoliberal Finance Undermines Poor Countries’ Recovery  

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Weekly Update  

Redemption shot: von der Leyen begins fightback on EU vaccine rollout 

EU to clear Johnson and Johnson vaccine in March, says French minister 

EMA starts rolling review of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine 

EMA and Health Canada publish clinical data used to support their authorisations of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 

New Variant Detected in New York Could Pose Challenge For COVID Therapies and Vaccines  

Moderna expects $18.4bn from Covid vaccine deals this year 

In Brief: Over half of African nations to start COVID-19 vaccine rollouts in coming weeks  

COVAX Aims to Distribute 237-million Vaccine Doses By May  

Amid ‘historic’ rollout, UN vaccine project faces some delay  

Monoclonal Antibodies For COVID-19 In Africa: A Complex Web Of Opportunities And Challenges 

Just 4% of Covid research relevant to Africa: study 

What Role Can South-South Cooperation Play in Post COVID-19 Recovery? 

Opinion: Gaps in COVID-19 response for LGBTQ youths risk losing a generation 

European Union Moves Forward With Plans For Vaccine Passport By Summer; Experts Concerned About Practicality, Safety & Equity 

MSF response to Reuters special report on the shortage of Cepheid COVID-19 tests in Africa 

KEI Letter to New WTO Director-General on COVID-19 Response  

HIV findings in DR Congo ‘give hope for cure’ 

First oral treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) recommended for approval 

COVID-19 hindering progress against female genital mutilation 

Pandemic Periods