FURTHER READING Front Line Defenders (2019): Global Analysis UN Human Rights Council (2020): Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders FORUM-ASIA (2019): Defending in Numbers HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND COVID-19 The development of this Action Plan has been accompanied by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the world, causing unprecedented challenges for human rights and the operation of NHRIs. Governments across the Asia Pacific region have introduced sweeping restrictions on freedom of movement, assembly and communication, among other basic rights, ostensibly to limit the transmission of the virus. While these restrictions purport to pursue legitimate public health objectives, many emergency measures have been used by government as a means to crack down on political dissent or target HRDs with increased surveillance. Defenders operating in the COVID-19 era have had to respond to the challenges of government lockdowns and other restrictions that impact on their work. These circumstances place considerable strain on support networks and have demanded adaptation to new modes of communication and assembly. Many HRDs in the Asia Pacific are facing heightened threats to their wellbeing and security as a direct result of COVID-19. Regional NGO, FORUM-ASIA, documented over 60 cases of violations against defenders related to COVID-19 between February and May 2020. In Malaysia, SUHAKAM has reported the arrest and placement of several hundred undocumented migrants in detention by authorities. The arrest and detention of those migrants have caused persistent fears to remain among the migrants on possible negative repercussions resulting in the reluctance of many to come forward for COVID-19 testing. The Malaysian Government also deported a Bangladeshi HRD – Mohammad Rayhan Kabir – allegedly for his role in providing false information on the Malaysian Government’s treatment of migrants in Malaysia. HRDs are resilient, continuing to work tirelessly throughout the public health crisis, with many drawing attention to the plight of frontline health workers and others whose rights have been impacted. The COVID-19 pandemic has sharpened the focus on the essential work undertaken by HRDs during crisis situations and reinforces the impact of shrinking civic space. FURTHER READING Front Line Defenders (2020): Defending rights during a pandemic: Impact of Covid-19 on the safety and work of human rights defenders FORUM-ASIA (2020): Human Rights Defenders in the Face of Covid-19 SUHAKAM (2020): Press Statement No. 15 of 2020 – Suhakam Urges Authorities to Cease Arrest of Undocumented Migrants during Covid-19 Crisis Part 1: Background | 15