Daring to stand up for human rights in a pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and states’ response to it have presented an array of new challenges and threats for those who defend human rights. Many states around the world have targeted human rights defenders and other critical voices who have spoken up against their handling of the public health crisis. As a result, in many parts of the world authorities have lashed out against those who have dared to expose and criticise inadequate government responses to the pandemic, or used COVID-19 related measures and other existing legislation to silence those who defend human rights. This briefing brings together examples of these attacks.