In its resolution 47/3, the Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report, examining in detail the key challenges that civil society faced in the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, both online and offline, and also examining best practices.

The present report is based on inputs from States and civil society and on research regarding challenges to civil society space arising in the context of the COVID - 19 pandemic. In the report, the High Commissioner calls for a much more systematic investment in meaningful, safe and inclusive participation at all levels, together with effective measures to protect access to information, an enabling environment for debate and freedom from insecurity for those who speak up.