"The message is clear. People — and their rights — must be front and centre. A human rights lens puts everyone in the picture and ensures that no one is left behind," said the UN Secretary-General in a message on human rights and COVID-19.

He said the virus threatens everyone and human rights uplift everyone.

Guterres urged all not to forget that the threat is the virus, not people. "We must ensure that any emergency measures — including states of emergency — are legal, proportionate, necessary and non-discriminatory, have a specific focus and duration, and take the least intrusive approach possible to protect public health."

The best response, the UN chief said, is one that responds proportionately to immediate threats while protecting human rights and the rule of law. 

"Looking ahead, we need to build back better.  The Sustainable Development Goals — which are underpinned by human rights — provide the framework for more inclusive and sustainable economies and societies," he said. 

The UN chief stressed the importance of strengthening economic and social rights that bolsters resilience for the long haul.  

The recovery must also respect the rights of future generations, enhancing climate action aiming at carbon neutrality by 2050 and protecting biodiversity. "We’re all in this together."

More than ever, he said, governments must be transparent, responsive and accountable. 

"Civic space and press freedom are critical. Civil society organizations and the private sector have essential roles to play," he said. 

Guterres said the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency — but it is far more and it is an economic and social crisis.  

"And a human crisis that risks becoming a human rights crisis. In February, I launched a Call to Action to put human dignity and the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the core of our work."

Human rights responses can help beat the pandemic, putting a focus on the imperative of healthcare for everyone.  

Against the background of rising ethno-nationalism, populism, authoritarianism and a pushback against human rights in some countries, Guterres said, the crisis can provide a pretext to adopt repressive measures for purposes unrelated to the pandemic. "This is unacceptable."