VULNERABLE SURVIVORS AND THE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN TIME OF DISASTER

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has a dominos effect on our life and exposes the vulnerabilities of some group in the population. The right of access to justice is affecting the community in one way or another with vulnerable groups continues to be the most impacted even before disaster struck. This paper aims to highlight and analyse the situation of vulnerable people’s access to justice and the magnitude of disaster especially Covid-19 pandemic on their access. The conceptual theory of the right of access to justice unfolds the discussion encompassing its scope and content according to international and domestic law. It draws attention to the prevailing stumbling block for the vulnerable survivors in accessing the justice  system and the effect of the problem. An amalgamation of factors deepened the obstruction in accessing justice and this study shows that only real recognition of human rights by the authorities coupled with strong political commitment can surmount the predicament of vulnerable survivors.