At a time when the world is grappling from the pandemic Coronavirus, nations across the globe have shown their discontent against China. Some say they bio-engineered the virus, some are dissatisfied with the faulty test kits and medical supplies it sent, and some accuse it of not taking proper measures to stem the virus. Meanwhile, two parties have filed a case against China. Complete Coverage: Coronavirus
Crux of the Matter
Case at UNHRC The All India Bar Association (AIBA) and International Court of Jurists (ICJ) have registered a complaint against China at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and demanded an unspecified amount of compensation for the spread of the virus. The petition, which was filed by the ICJ President Adish C. Aggarwala, charges China under ‘Responsibility of States For Internationally Wrongful Acts, 2001’ for committing serious offenses against humanity.
We urge the UNHRC to investigate and direct the government of the People’s Republic of China to adequately compensate the international community and member-states, particularly India, for surreptitiously developing a biological weapon capable of mass destruction of mankind throughout the world and also for serious physical, psychological, economic and social harm caused to these states due to the inaction and negligence to respect the international obligations. Adish C. Aggarwala, President, International Court of Jurists (ICJ)
The petition stated that the virus was a Chinese conspiracy to bring the world economy to a grinding halt, and hence to usurp the position of leading superpower. It also raised questions about why Coronavirus did not spread to many Chinese regions and was restricted to Wuhan only when it took measures as late as 23rd January, when there were asymptomatic COVID-19 patients travelling abroad. The complaint also brought forth the issue of the huge dent on the global economy.
As per the jurists, China has violated the International Health Regulations and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by not disclosing important information of Coronavirus and by not issuing any prompt health warnings. The petition also said that China has violated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
A Lawsuit Bigger than Chinese GDP US-based lawyer Larry Klayman, advocacy group Freedom Watch and Texas-based Buzz Photos have filed a $20 trillion lawsuit against the Chinese government, the Wuhan Institute of Virology and its director Shi Zhengli, and Chinese Army and its Major General Chen Wei. This petition accuses China of negligence, conspiring to cause death and injury to US citizens, aiding and abetting death, wrongful death, provision of material support to terrorists, and assault and battery.
Such was the desperation of Major General Chen to save herself from the virus that she injected herself and six members of her team with a potential vaccine that was yet to be tested. Klayman and Plaintiffs
It accuses China of orchestrating the virus to kill mass population despite biological weapons being outlawed in 1925. It also said that the Chinese doctors and researchers who blew the whistle about the virus early on were silenced by China. As of 6th April, total number of confirmed cases in China is 81,708 while figure for the USA crossed 3,30,000 today.
Curiopedia
Bio-Weapons
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta has classified various organisms and diseases that could potentially be used as biological weapons.
These diseases are grouped in three categories according to their possibility of use and their impact on public health.
Source: National Centre for Biotechnology Information, USA
Curated Coverage
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