COVID-19 and its impact on prison monitoring and freedom of expression

COVID 19 has plunged the world into a serious health crisis. According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 has now been confirmed in more than 195 countries and territories around the world. The number of infected people increases every day, and the death toll is constantly rising. States are adopting far reaching and severe measures to contain the spread of this virus and to protect vulnerable people.

However, there are fears that many governments are also taking advantage of this crisis in order to crack down on human rights. We, as civil society, must remain vigilant and subject all government measures to review from a human rights perspective.

This compilation is intended to provide an overview of some of the key human rights standards and guidelines in relation to states’ Covid-19 responses, with a particular focus on prisons and other places of detention and the fundamental freedoms of information and expression.

The compilation is by no means exhaustive, but rather reflects a selection of useful guidelines and tools for use in the middle of the pandemic crisis.

We hope that it will serve as a valuable and practical resource tool for civil society.