Young people are finding innovative ways to connect, support each other and drive change even amid pandemic fears and lockdowns, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at a UN Security Council meeting this week. Guterres also said that extremist groups are using the pandemic as an opportunity to increase youth recruitment efforts online.

Governments must not resort to police brutality or excessive force in the name of enforcing unreasonably strict lockdown or quarantine measures during the coronavirus pandemic, says United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. "Emergency powers should not be a weapon governments can wield to quash dissent, control the population, and even perpetuate their time in power," she said.

Disruptions to vaccination programs caused by the pandemic increase the threat posed by other treatable diseases, UNICEF officials said this week, echoing a statement from the World Health Organization. The WHO has reported instances of polio reappearing in Africa because vaccination campaigns have been halted.

Extending strict pandemic lockdown measures by an additional three months could increase incidents of domestic violence by 20%, or an additional 15 million cases around the world, the United Nations Population Fund says. UN Women this week reported that gender-based violence is increasing in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, and femicides in Argentina have doubled since quarantine measures were implemented.

Post-pandemic recovery efforts should be used to promote a healthy, inclusive world and must include commitments to lowering carbon emissions, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told participants of a two-day virtual conference on global warming this week. "Let us use the pandemic recovery to provide a foundation for a safe, healthy, inclusive and more resilient world for all people," Guterres said.

Military forces in Myanmar are escalating attacks on civilians amid the pandemic and must be investigated for repeating war crimes, says United Nations Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee. Authorities in the country must also reinstate mobile internet service and allow members of the press to operate freely, Lee says.

South Sudan: COVID-19 pandemic challenges add to existing crises

"What Kim Jong Un's Health Rumors Teach Us About North Korea"

We salute all healthcare professionals, front line workers and other essential services providers for their commitment. They are the heroes of the global #COVID19 pandemic response. We must ensure their #SafetyAndHealthAtWork #safetyatwork

bit.ly/2Yn27E5

@UN_Nigeria