"COVID-19 Toolkit for Civil Society Partners. Emergency Powers and Crisis Responses: Human Rights Risk"

In response to COVID-19, governments around the world are urgently passing emergency measures that in many instances are having a disproportionate impact on, and in some cases specifically targeting, marginalised and vulnerable groups. These laws are coming into effect with little to no democratic accountability or oversight. In response to this, Rights and Security International, in collaboration with our civil society partners across the globe, has today launched the Covid-19 Toolkit for Civil Society Partners. Emergency Powers and Crisis Responses: Human Rights Risk.

The toolkit provides a guide for civil society organisations (CSOs) and human rights defenders (HRDs) to monitor and act on emergency laws and policies; ensure the process of enacting emergency laws and their content adhere to the rule of law and international law obligations; and identify and respond to emergency measures having a disproportionate impact on marginalised and vulnerable communities.