Police worldwide have been using excessive and sometimes deadly force to enforce coronavirus-related curfews and lockdowns. The UN Human Rights Office has observed a range of human rights violations including arbitrary detention, harassment, abuse, beatings, and deaths in over 20 countries.
In Nigeria, security forces have killed 18 people in relation to enforcement measures, according to reports received by the UN. In South Africa, further reports to the UN tell of police indiscriminately using rubber bullets, tear gas, water bombs and whips to enforce social distancing, especially in poor neighbourhoods .readmore