THE HAGUE: The coronavirus pandemic has had an unprecedented and profound effect on human rights, fueling racism and child abuse, the European Union's rights agency said on Thursday 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 (FRA) said. "It also sparked an increase in racist incidents," the FRA added, calling the pandemic's effects on rights "profound." In 2020, domestic violence and sexual abuse also increased, the report said. Child sexual abuse online also increased, FRA said, citing Europol.

Source: Manila Times June 10, 2021 16:07 UTC