OHCHR and COVID-19

About COVID-19 and human rights

The global COVID-19 crisis has been fuelled by deepening poverty, rising inequalities, structural and entrenched discrimination and other gaps in human rights protection. Only measures to close these gaps and advance human rights can ensure we fully recover to a world that is better and more resilient, just and sustainable. Respect for human rights across the spectrum, including economic and social rights, and civil and political rights, will be fundamental to the success of the public health response.

OHCHR’s work on COVID-19

OHCHR is working with Member States, UN partners, civil society and the private sector to identify human rights trends, risks and the impact of national responses as we assess good practice and raise awareness of specific concerns.

OHCHR is focusing in five areas: supporting vulnerable people and groups; supporting participation, inclusion and access to information; engaging on the economic and social rights impacts of the crisis; supporting the UN system through the integration of human rights; and addressing specific human rights issues that may be less visible or more sensitive.

To help Member States in their response to COVID-19, OHCHR issued policy guidance on many topics.

Calls for Input

Report on COVID-19 pandemic

Closed - see submissions

States’ submissions of good practices in the corona virus context

Closed - see submissions

See all

Latest reports

A/HRC/54/34: Follow-up report on good practices and challenges in the application of a human rights-based approach to the elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity - Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

The present follow-up report, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 47/25, outlines good practices and challenges in the application of a human rights-based approach to the elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity.

A/HRC/54/35: Vision of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for reinforcing its work in promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic - Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 49/19, in which the Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report presenting the vision of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for reinforcing its work in promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities in the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

E/2023/74: Economic, social and cultural rights - Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

In the present report, submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 48/141, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights outlines challenges in relation to access to medicines that arise in the existing system for pharmaceutical innovation, its associated business models and current pricing practices.

A/HRC/52/52: Support systems to ensure community inclusion of persons with disabilities, including as a means of building forward better after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic - Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Activities

Key messages: pandemics treaty
July 2022

Campaign: behind each mask, there is a human being – Human rights at the heart of the response
April 2020

Campaign: Recovering Better by ensuring human rights
Human Rights Day – December 2020

External links

UN guidance note hate speech (PDF)

UN Secretary-General Policy Brief (PDF)

WHO - COVID-19

UN COVID-19 portal

COVID-19 and Special Procedures COVID-19 and Treaty Bodies

Videos

Date: March 2020
COVID-19 is a test to us all
“This pandemic is a test of our principles and shared humanity,” says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet
Watch on Vimeo

Date: April 2020
We are all in this together
UN Secretary-General António Guterres says that “human rights can and must guide COVID-19 response and recovery.”
Watch on Vimeo

Date: April 2020
Human rights at the heart of the response
“This is a human crisis with human rights dimensions. To address it, we must place people and their rights front and centre,” says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet
Watch on Vimeo

Date: April 2020
Emergency measures cannot be a blank cheque
As Governments face the formidable challenge of protecting people from COVID-19, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet calls on them to ensure human rights are not violated under the guise of exceptional or emergency measures.
Watch on Vimeo

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OHCHR and COVID-19