International Day of Democracy got observed as virtual event and excage of greetings or short write-ups on the social media amid 'the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis that has resulted in major social, political and legal challenges globally." "As states around the world adopt emergency measures to address the crisis, it is critical that they continue to uphold the rule of law, protect and respect international standards and basic principles of legality, and the right to access justice, remedies and due process," informed the UN.
On the occasion of the the observance, the UN Secretary General António Guterres called on the world community to do the following:
Be transparent, responsive and accountable in their COVID-19 response and ensure that any emergency measures are legal, proportionate, necessary and non-discriminatory and respond proportionately to immediate threats while protecting human rights and the rule of law.
Respect and protect, among other rights, freedom of expression and of the press, freedom of information, freedom of association and of assembly.
He urged that the governments must refrain from 'measures to control the flow of information and crackdown on freedom of expression and press freedom against an existing background of shrinking civic space.'
He expressed concern about 'arrest, detention, prosecution or persecution of political opponents, journalists, doctors and healthcare workers, activists and others for allegedly spreading fake news; aggressive cyber-policing and increased online surveillance.' He stressed the need for 'empowering women against gender-based violence, which has surged amid Covid-19 lockdowns, quarantines, and social and economic pressures; helping to highlight the challenges of inequality and weak service delivery made worse by the crisis, with specific focus on the needs and rights of women, youth, minorities and other marginalized populations, so as to help hold governments to account.'
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