The COVID-19 Effect Series: Part 3.

Possible effects on human rights of key populations and LGBTQI Community

When COVID-19 was declared by the World Health Organization as a pandemic, the governments across the globe has taken measures to ensure that the spread of virus is halted, and that its citizens and residents are protected from the virus through social distancing and other measures limiting the movement of its people. As we see in platforms delivering news and current events, there is a surge of number in health facilities of people who are affected by COVID-19. The virus spreads very quickly, and the cases of COVID-19 infections dramatically increases across the population in a short span of time. The public health facilities are not sufficiently equipped to cater COVID-19 cases. The immediate measures recommended and taken by governments are lockdowns, closure of public spaces and establishments, limiting of public movements, and cross-country border shutdowns.

Freedom of expressions and freedom of movement

In the process of implementing these preventive measures by governments to respond to COVID-19, communities’ freedom of expression, among others can be affected. Airing of concerns by communities on the possible effects on their rights can be curtailed during these times.

There is also the possibility that warrantless arrests, discriminatory acts, as well as criminalization of key populations, will be aggravated in the guise of public response to COVID-19. During these times of public unrest, the communities must be vigilant against existing acts of discrimination or human rights violations which may potentially scale up against drug use, sex workers, transgender women or LGBTQI people.

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The COVID-19 Effect Series: Part 1
COVID-19 and its effects on diverse SOGIESC communities, HIV services and Key Populations

The COVID-19 Effect Series: Part 2
Community-Based Organisations in times of the pandemic

The COVID-19 Effect Series: Part 3
Possible effects on human rights of key populations and LGBTQI Community

The COVID-19 Effect Series: Part 4
A collective call for immediate response amid COVID-19 outbreak and government lockdowns

The COVID-19 Effect Series:
Community clinics in Thailand strives to provide HIV services amid COVID-19

The COVID-19 Effect Series:
A collective call for immediate response amid COVID-19 outbreak and government lockdowns