In a new age of emergency laws, human rights are more important than ever | New Statesman

A pandemic generates precisely the kind of instability and fear which has historically been used to suppress civil liberties.   

Hungary Seeks to Ban Legal Gender Recognition for Transgender People | Human Rights Watch

On March 31, the Hungarian government submitted a bill to parliament that, among other things, would  make it impossible for transgender people to legally change their gender. It was unclear when parliament might debate and vote on the bill.

The International Community Must Put a Spotlight on Tajikistan’s Human Rights Record | The Diplomat

Silencing opposition figures, independent voices, and those defending the detained — a spotlight must be shone on the Tajik government’s human rights record.

COVID-19 as an emergency human rights issue | Amnesty International

In our homes, streets, public places, radio stations, newspapers and international television news channels, everybody is talking about: COVID-19.

Rio Tinto accused of violating human rights in Bougainville for not cleaning up Panguna mine | The Guardian

New report alleges mine caused environmental devastation and ongoing health problems for communities

America’s civil rights leader Joseph Lowery dies, aged 98 | Reuters

The Reverend Joseph Lowery, a key ally of Martin Luther King in the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s, died late on Friday at the age of 98, his family said in a statement.

Digital rights in Africa: advocates must team up to consolidate gains | Africanews

Civil society groups pushing for increased respect for digital rights by governments it said needed to better liaise and regularize their advocacy in seeking the best interest of Africans online.

Coronavirus: Israel links any aid for Gaza to return of two soldiers | Middle East Eye

Gaza has reported 12 cases of Covid-19, but health experts and humanitarian groups fear virus may devastate impoverished strip

Let refugees in during pandemic: rights groups | Coast Reporter

Canada should be letting third-country refugees from the U.S. into Canada despite the border being closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, refugee and civil liberties organizations say.