This page presents key resources and recommendations from international human rights bodies, experts and organisations regarding the protection of human rights during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are all in this together: Policy brief on COVID-19 and human rights
UN Secretary General
April 2020
The UN Secretary General has released a report highlighting how human rights can and must guide COVID-19 response and recovery.
Emergency measures and COVID-19: Guidance
UN OHCHR
27.04.2020
To help States in their response to COVID-19, the UN Human Rights Office on Monday issued new policy guidance regarding restrictions on human rights as a result of emergency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Derogations from the ICCPR in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic
Human Rights Committee
24.04.2020
The Human Rights Committee’s statement on derogations from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now is the time for solidarity on human rights
ENNHRI
23.04.2020
The European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) has released a statement on the need for human rights in COVID-19 responses in Europe.
Raising women’s voices and leadership in COVID-19 policies
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
22.04.2020
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has issed a statement and detailed guidance note on a range of measures that governments should take to uphold women’s rights as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UN expert outlines urgent steps to ensure justice systems are not paralysed by COVID-19
UN Special Rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers
22.04.2020
The Special Rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers has published seven guidelines to ensure judges, justice workers, prosecutors and lawyers maintain functioning judicial systems.
Possible action and measures to take during the COVID-19 pandemic under the Istanbul Convention
Council of Europe Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention
20.04.2020
The Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention has issued a declaration on actions and measures to take during the COVID-19 pandemic to address violence against women and girls.
COVID-19 and the human rights of LGBTI people
OHCHR
17.04.2020
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people may be particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has released a guidance note on this topic.
Protecting the most vulnerable children from the impact of coronavirus: An agenda for action
UNICEF
08.04.2020
UNICEF explains how the COVID-19 pandemic has a heavy impact on childrens’ safety, well-being and future, and provides six recommendations to ensure that the current health crisis does not become a child rights crisis.
Respecting democracy, the rule of law and human rights during the COVID-19 crisis
Council of Europe
07.04.2020
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe has issued a toolkit to all 47 Council of Europe Member States on respecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law during the COVID-19 crisis.
Governments must ensure equal protection and care for Roma and Travellers during the COVID-19 crisis
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
07.04.2020
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has released a statement urging governments to issue and implement crisis plans which ensure that Roma and Travellers benefit from the same level of information as others and from access to basic sanitation in order to be prepared to cope with the pandemic.
The COVID-19 and Persons Deprived of Liberty Information Hub
Association for the Prevention of Torture
07.04.2020
The Association for the Prevention of Torture has launched an online hub with information pertaining to the rights of persons deprived of liberty during the COVID-19 pandemic, including news reports, guidelines, legislation as well as tools and practical measures.
COVID-19 yet another challenge for indigenous peoples: Statement by EMRIP (Word doc)
EMRIP
07.04.2020
The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) has called on States to protect the health and lives of indigenous peoples during the COVID-19 pandemic, including by ensuring that any measures that may affect indigenous peoples are culturally acceptable, non-discriminatory are grounded in the right to self-determination.
Press freedom must not be undermined by measures to counter disinformation about COVID-19
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
03.04.2020
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has released a statement urging all Council of Europe member states to preserve press and media freedom and ensure that measures to combat disinformation are necessary, proportionate and subject to regular oversight.
Disability considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak
WHO
03.04.2020
The World Health Organisation examines how people with disabilities are impacted by COVID-19 and provides suggestions for protective measures to mitigate this impact.
States must combat domestic violence in the context of COVID-19 lockdowns
UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women
27.03.2020
The UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women has called on governments to ensure that measures to protect victims of domestic violence remain available during the COVID-19 crisis, particularly for women, children and other vulnerable groups.
How are National Human Rights Institutions in Europe responding to COVID-19?
ENNHRI
25.03.2020
The European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) has compiled information on the various responses of European NHRIs to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies call for human rights approach in fighting COVID-19
Chairpersons of the 10 UN Treaty Bodies
24.03.2020
The Chairpersons of the 10 UN Treaty Bodies have urged global leaders to ensure that human rights are respected in measures to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
States should not abuse emergency measures to suppress human rights
All UN Special Rapporteurs
16.03.2020
UN human rights experts have urged States to avoid overreach of security measures in their response to the coronavirus outbreak, highlighting that emergency powers should not be used to quash dissent.
COVID-19 : 10 Recommendations to plan distance learning solutions
UNESCO
06.03.2020
With school closures in a growing number of countries, UNESCO has shared 10 recommendations to ensure that learning remains uninterrupted during this period.
COVID-19 and its human rights dimensions
UN OHCHR
March 2020
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has released statements, press releases and a guidance note on the human rights dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19: How to include marginalised and vulnerable people in risk communication and community engagement
UN Women
March 2020
UN Women has developed a guide on including marginalised and vulnerable groups when responding to COVID-19, including women, the elderly, children, persons with disabilities and minorities.
COVID-19: A Gender Lens, Protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and promoting gender equality
UN Population Fund
March 2020
The United Nations Population Fund has released a report which examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affects women and men differently, and how it can worsen existing inequalities for women and girls, as well as discrimination of other marginalised groups.