WEBINAR: The Human Rights Dimensions of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is presenting unique challenges to the protection of human rights around the world, including the Asia-Pacific region. Pandemic-related racism, xenophobia, hate speech and discrimination are reportedly on the rise in the region and need to be countered with robust efforts to promote fundamental freedoms of expression and association, provisions of targeted support for vulnerable groups and equitable and meaningful implementation of socio-economic rights across the region.

This webinar focuses on the importance of ensuring a rights-based approach to all disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic. It will highlight the key human rights issues that have emerged in relation to the COVID crisis and offer policy advice and recommendations to combat all forms of discrimination and human rights abuses.

PARTICIPANTS

Ms. Mami Mizutori
Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
Ms. Loretta Hieber Girardet – Moderator
Chief, UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Bangkok, Thailand
Ms. Pia Oberoi – Human Rights and Migrants
Senior Advisor on Migration and Human Rights,
South-East Asia Regional Office of OHCHR
Mr. Eric Paulsen – Emergency Measures and Freedom of Expression
The representative of Malaysia to the ASEAN  Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)
Mr. Ricky Gunawan – Persons Deprived of Their Liberty
Indonesian human rights lawyer and former Director of Community Legal Aid Institute (LBHM),
Ms. Ambika Satkunanathan – Rising Racism and Xenophobia
Open Society Fellow (2020-2021) and former Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka