Hundreds of people in the Cayman Islands may have been kept under ‘house arrest’ for longer than was medically necessary or legally justifiable, according to two senior human rights lawyers. Government has wide powers when it comes to curtailing human rights, including placing restriction on liberty, freedom of movement and freedom of association, to prevent the spread of a communicable disease. But that authority is not absolute, says James Austin-Smith, former chairman of the Cayman Islands Human Rights Commission. “The battleground in any legal action would then be around whether the executive could prove that detention beyond 14 days is necessary. Dale Crowley, chair of Cayman’s Human Rights Commission, said that body is currently reviewing current laws and regulations relating to the COVID pandemic.

Source: CNN January 20, 2022 23:53 UTC