Human Rights Council - UIA joins statements highlighting key human rights issues in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

On April 9, 2020, UIA was represented at an informal virtual conversation between the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, and the members and observers of the Human Rights Council, which was held to discuss, in particular, the current outbreak of COVID-19 and its implications on human rights around the world.

The presentation of the High Commissioner  was followed by those of the President of the Council, a number of States and representatives of civil society.

UIA joined multiple NGOS in statements delivered during the meeting, urging States to avoid any violation and undue or unjustified restriction of civil, political, economic, cultural and social rights while responding to COVID-19. It further requested States to respect the principles of the Rule of Law, including by preventing any abuse of emergency powers and by ensuring an independent judiciary. Finally, UIA jointly called upon the UN human rights mechanisms to continue monitoring, reporting on, and responding to human rights issues, generally, and in the context of State’s responses to the COVID 19 pandemic, particularly [see below].