Championing human rights amid disease and discrimination

Throughout history, governments have seized on catastrophes to seize and consolidate power. Yet official actions like restricting movement, ramping up surveillance, curtailing freedom of assembly, and closing borders can also help control the spread of a deadly pandemic like COVID-19. Harvard Kennedy School Professors Mathias Risse and Jacqueline Bhabha say that while some of these measures may be temporarily necessary to prevent loss of life, safeguards must be put in place to make sure human rights are not eroded over the long term. But how do you promote human rights in a worldwide climate of fear?