The Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is maintaining a list of the current elections schedule and plans during the COVID-19 pandemic response, as reported by electoral management bodies and news media across the world. Their list is not comprehensive but represents a snapshot of decisions and events across the globe.

This post from Peace Research Institute Frankfurt discusses why it is crucial to monitor how restrictions are implemented to prevent governments from using the current crisis to justify new constraints on civic spaces.

Access Now’s recommendations focus on three categories of measures seen around the world: collection and use of health data, tracking and geolocation, and public-private partnerships. The report aims to ensure that the rule of law, and the rights to privacy and data protection, are protected throughout this crisis and in the future.

This New York Times article looks at leaders around the world who have passed emergency decrees and legislation expanding their reach during the pandemic. Will they ever relinquish them? This article looks at the history of emergency responses and what is happening now.

The United States is in the midst of addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. All 50 states, as well as the federal government, have now declared emergencies and issued a range of executive orders to combat the spread of the virus. While COVID-19 is a serious threat to public health, measures to address it should not become a serious threat to civil liberties. Emergency

The COVID-19 response is currently an all-consuming effort for governments and people in countries around the world. In this time of urgency, ICNL and ECNL offer a quick guide for authorities striving to protect lives in line with their duty to uphold human rights and protect human dignity, based on international human rights obligations.

In this piece for the Center for Global Development, ICNL Alliance Advisory Council Member Michael Pisa discusses how the use of digital tools to monitor the coronavirus spread raises serious questions about governments continuing to use these surveillance tools for other purposes after the crisis.

Amnesty International’s preliminary observation report examines the human rights concerns and challenges that often emerge in epidemic responses, with specific reference to COVID-19. It summarizes states’ human rights obligations and the key human rights laws, standards, and principles that must be reflected in the responses.

Resources for Civil Society PUBLISHED: MARCH 2020 This page, set up by CIVICUS, aims to connect and inform the CIVICUS alliance and civil society during […]

In an article for Just Security, ICNL President Douglas Rutzen and Legal Advisor Nikhil Dutta discuss government overreach during pandemics and list recommendations on how states can promote rights-respecting governmental measures during a public health emergency.