Pandemic-An Excuse to Promulgate Controversial Laws
United States
- Doing away with the stronger fuel efficiency standards.
- Includes cars and trucks introduced under former President Barack Obama.
Hungary
- Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been given authority by the Parliament.
- To rule by decree with an unending term.
- Controversial legislations, such as ending the legal recognition of transgender people has also been passed by the government.
Senegal
- Suspension of one of the provisions of the anti-plastic law: the ban on water sachets by the govt.
- After the pandemic is over, the provision, which has a strong economic and social impact, will only be reinstated.
Nigeria
- Enacted 16 state and federal regulations that justify derogation of constitutionally protected rights.
- Also tried to pass a draconian law allowing the police to apprehend people with infectious diseases.
Venezuela
- President Nicolas Maduro allowed gold and diamond mining in Cuchivero, Caura, Aro, Caroni, Yuruari and Cuyuni rivers in April 2020.
- Directly affects the environment.
- Specifically rivers that feed the Caroni River which generates of 70% of the country՚s electricity.
Philippines
- The Philippines was labeled the most dangerous country for activists by international watchdog Global Witness last year.
- During the two months lockdown period the govt. arrested 10 activists, one got killed.
Brazil
- The government is to vote on the Provisional Measure 901⟋2019.
- This will legalise land grab of indigenous areas till 2018.
- Also the stipulated area is expected to reduce under forest on these lands from 80% to 50% .
South Africa
- The government allowed mining activities in the third week of April.
- While the rest of the country was in lockdown.
- New regulations were adopted on April 11 to suspend the usual environmental regulatory processes during the lockdown.
Indonesia
- Revoked several rules in response to lobbying from the furniture and logging industries.
- Also deliberating on a Bill that allows it to issue permits for exploiting natural resources.
Australia
- Documents leaked to the media reveal plans to scrap state bans on coal seam gas development.
- The federal government also plans to underwrite:
- Gas prices
- Subsidise costs for gas companies
- Dilute environmental regulations
✍Examrace Team at Aug 24, 2021