H1N1, public health security, bioethics, and human rights

More recent (binding) guidance on restrictions of civil and political rights in the context of public health emergencies emphasises that restrictions be strictly limited and justified by the state.3 Human rights norms are essential for the protection of both individuals and communities in times of public health emergencies.4,5 Uncertainties about the epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases and the effectiveness of control strategies complicate assessment of the legitimacy of rightslimiting measures, and highlight the importance of transparent decisionmaking processes.