Event information

5 July 2021, 15:00-16:30

Downloads

Flyer >

Peaceful Protest: Use of Force by States in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Event

Police officers during a demonstration Police officers during a demonstration

The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, freedom of expression and of participation in the conduct of public affairs, including through peaceful protests, is a legitimate means to express grievances. It is expected that the social, economic and cultural impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to rising number of such protests globally.

The most visible feature of states’ responses to peaceful protests is the use of force by law enforcement officials and this has remained true since the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This Geneva Human Rights Platform online side-event during the 47th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council – co-organized with the Permanent Missions of Switzerland and of Costa Rica to the UN in Geneva – will discuss the use of force by states in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and will analyze the kind of weapons used, identify trends and propose avenues for further consideration and action.

Opening

  • Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Introductory Remarks

  • Jürg Lauber, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

Moderation

  • Catalina Devandas, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

Panelists

  • Clément Voule, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association
  • Neil Corney, Research Associate at the Omega Research Foundation
  • Luciana Pol, Senior Fellow Security Policy and Human Rights at the Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)

Video

Peaceful Protest: Use of Force by States in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This online side-event during the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council discussed the use of force by states in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and analyzed the kind of weapons used, identify trends and propose avenues for further consideration and action.

 

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

EQINET Logo News

In Highlight: Equality Bodies Comparison Dashboard

20 August 2025

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the current highlight of the directory: Equality Bodies Comparison Dashboard

Read more

Human Rights Tiles News

From Signals to Action: Strengthening the UN's Conflict Prevention Efforts

31 March 2025

Our recent research brief series explores how the United Nations' human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention.

Read more

Enforced Disappearances Event

'Short-term' Enforced Disappearances

23 September 2025, 13:00-14:00

This side event will bring together stakeholders to discuss the growing concerning recurrence to short-term enforced disappearances worldwide, and the challenges they pose for victims and accountability.

Read more

Special Rapporteur Sign Event

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in an Era of Escalating Armed Conflict: Where Can International Human Rights Law Help?

25 September 2025, 18:30-20:00

This evening dialogue will present the publication: International Human Rights Law: A Treatise, Cambridge University Press (2025).

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

Project

Follow-up Review Pilot Series

Started in November 2021

Read more

Session of the UN Human Rights Committee Project

Treaty Body Review 2020 and Beyond

Started in January 2018

The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributes to this review process by providing expert input via different avenues, by facilitating dialogue on the review among various stakeholders, as well as by accompanying the development of a follow-up resolution to 68/268 in New York and in Geneva.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more