Summary publication on COVID-19 and NHRIs
In order to provide a consolidated overview of good practices, experiences and lessons learned on the role of NHRIs in the context of COVID-19 the Tri-Partite Partnership (UNDP, OHCHR and GANHRI) commissioned a study on COVID-19 and National Human Rights Institutions.
The objectives of this study are to:
- Demonstrate the important role and activities of NHRIs in addressing the human rights dimension of COVID-19 through application of their mandates and functions under the Paris Principles by identifying good practice and lessons learned.
- Illustrate the role and activities of the TPP partners including GANHRI and the regional networks in supporting NHRIs, as well as the engagement between NHRIs and other relevant stakeholders.
- Assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on NHRIs across all aspects of their mandates and functions, and in relation to a broad scope of human rights themes.
The findings of the study show trends and parallel manners in how NHRIs faced the challenges raised by COVID-19. NHRIs globally have first and foremost directed their efforts to addressing the impact of COVID-19 on:
- Ensuring the right to life and health; information and participation
- Addressing the needs of particular groups at risk:
- women and children;
- people with disabilities and older persons; and
- migrants and internally displaced; minorities and indigenous populations.
And individuals who are formally deprived of liberty, i.e. individuals living in an institution, under quarantine or in detention.
- Preventing escalation of social conflict, xenophobia or discrimination
- Upholding civil and political as well as social and economic rights
- Maintaining that restrictions and states of emergency remain proportional to the situation at hand.
In all of these areas NHRIs have undertaken a multitude of activities and initiatives to:
- Address the spike in domestic violence against women by developing mobile apps and hotlines for alert.
- Stress the need for sign language and braille interpretation of important government notices relating to COVID-19.
- Ensure the effective monitoring in hospital and jail facilities through telephone dialogue with individuals.
- Provide emergency service (food, water) to those most in need