The erosion of human rights in 2020 – caused by and a consequence of those who would exploit a global pandemic for their political ends – compelled liberals around the world to heighten their vigilance, redouble their efforts, and stand up to safeguard basic rights in unparalleled circumstances. Liberal International’s Human Rights Committee (LI HRC) are pleased, therefore, to present the 2020 LI HRC annual report, showcasing just some of the actions the hard-working global committee has taken.
As the world moved online the LI HRC set to work and delivered a number of firsts. Partnering with FNF to engage a global campaign to tackle fake news and disinformation, a series of expert forms, launching LI’s first Gender Equality Report, and even sending the largest LI delegation to the Geneva Summit: a coalition of 25 NGOs from around the world. COVID may have changed the way the LI HRC worked but it did not prevent them from highlighting injustice and providing liberal answers to human rights concerns.
Read the report, find out more about the Committee’s extensive activities during 2020.
While changing the LI HRC’s working methods, we were also focused on monitoring COVID19’s impacts on human rights. Unfortunately, we could note that our fear was justified as many authoritarian leaders used the opportunity and introduced exaggerated and permanent measures to restrict basic rights of their citizens.
-Astrid Thors, LI HRC Chair
