The COVID-19 Crisis: Key Protection Messages

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all vulnerable. Governments around the world are rightly adopting increasingly stringent measures to protect public health. Yet as they do so, fundamental principles of refugee and human rights laws are also challenged. Asylum seekers, refugees and the internally displaced are especially vulnerable to health risks and other protection concerns.

In this context, UNHCR would like to share the following key protection messages, based on international refugee and human rights law, for advocacy by other organisations. These will be updated as needed, and feedback and suggestions are welcome.