"Human Rights Defenders: We need them more than ever! States worldwide must protect Human Rights Defenders in the current COVID-19 crisis", Apr 2020

At a time when some of our human rights have been restricted in order to implement public health measures, human rights defenders are more crucial than ever in our struggle to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that no one is left behind... It is paramount that states around the world recommit to protect and recognize those who individually or collectively take action to protect our human rights, including in the context of the pandemic... [S]tates must ensure that all measures restricting the right to defend human rights, including those imposing limitations on the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, are strictly necessary and proportionate for the protection of public health... States must recognise that human rights defence is an essential activity during emergency periods... Human rights defenders...in the field of research, health and social care, [and] journalism... have been key in informing the public about the challenges posed by COVID-19... Other activists, including... trade unionists, environmental and land defenders,...and... indigenous rights defenders, are also helping the public understand the impact and implications of COVID-19 in their communities and how it affects different sectors of society, particularly the most marginalized and at risk... Human right defenders keep a check on the misuse of power of non-state actors.