The coronavirus pandemic has had an unprecedented and profound effect on human rights, fuelling racism and child abuse, the EU's rights agency said in its annual report.
“The pandemic and the reactions it triggered exacerbated existing challenges and inequalities in all areas of life, especially affecting vulnerable groups,” a report by the Vienna-based Fundamental Rights Agency said.
“It also sparked an increase in racist incidents,” the FRA added, calling the pandemic's effects on rights “profound”.
Marginalised groups, refugees and migrants were not only at higher risk of contamination, but also lost jobs owing to strict lockdown measures, AFP reports.
