UN denounces intimidation by Chinese and Russian authorities in the context of the pandemic and denial by Brazil and the USA – Observer

The UN denounced this Tuesday the intimidation exerted by the authorities of China and Russia in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and exposed how the reality of this health crisis is denied in Brazil and in the United States.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said that “around the world, Covid-19 is being used to limit people’s right to express themselves and participate in making decisions that affect their lives“. Michelle Bachelet made this observation during the opening of the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, Switzerland.

“In the Russian Federation, China, Kosovo, Nicaragua and many other countries, I see reports of threats and intimidation against journalists, bloggers, civil activists, especially at the local level, with the apparent aim of discouraging criticism of the authorities’ responses to Covid-19, ″ said the UN High Commissioner.

Michelle Bachelet also mentioned severe restrictions on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in Egypt and the arbitrary and excessive application of measures in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic – disease caused by the new coronavirus – in El Salvador.

“Censorship and criminalization of speech is likely to remove the crucial information needed to deal with the pandemic,” insisted the high commissioner, calling for a fight against disinformation. “In Belarus, Brazil, Burundi, Nicaragua, Tanzania, the United States, among others, I am afraid that statements that deny the reality of the contagion of the virus and the growing polarization of key issues only intensify the seriousness of the pandemic“He said.

“Covid-19 reinforces local and regional threats to peace. Populations in states where health and essential services have already been devastated by conflicts and crises are extremely vulnerable to the multidimensional damage of the pandemic, ”he noted.

Bachelet finally reiterated his call for a relaxation of international sanctions “in order to ensure that medical care and assistance is accessible to all”.

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