During the Covid-19 pandemic, remote work became the new normal, and so did virtual internships. Louis Ducarme, a 30-year-old law graduate from Belgium specialized in EU Law started his internship with the Regional Office for Europe in Brussels in March, just two weeks before the country and the regional office went into full lockdown.

The Covid-19 pandemic – and the measures taken to combat it – have upended many lives. For millions of people around the world, the pandemic has brought about a protracted period of uncertainty, isolation, and hardship, with an end not yet in clear view. And those already in a precarious situation before the crisis have been hit the hardest, with women particularly afflicted.

National monitoring mechanisms should play a key role in instilling a human rights culture in border management entities, writes Birgit Van Hout.

On 23 February 2021, the UN Human Rights Regional Office for Europe and UNHCR held a consultation of international and regional human rights mechanisms and international organizations on the proposal, in the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, to establish national human rights monitoring mechanisms in all EU member States. Below is the note of the consultation.

The United Nations Brussels Team in its joint letter welcomes the adoption of the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024.

While the COVID-19 crisis has put a heavy strain on societies in Europe and around the world, it has also brought out the best in people and created new bonds.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted unprecedented calls for more solidarity, equality, and social cohesion to make our systems and societies more resilient and able to withstand future shocks. On 23 June 2020, the UN Human Rights Regional Office for Europe and ILO Brussels invited experts for a public webinar on the human right to social protection in the aftermath of COVID-19, welcoming over 130 participants from around Europe to the discussion.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge to societies worldwide and its consequent economic and social impact has triggered an unparalleled crisis, with a disproportionate impact on the most marginalized. Recovery efforts can help to steer the world onto a safer, healthier, more sustainable and inclusive path, including through stronger social protection measures based on human rights.