Police in Australia’s Victoria criticised over COVID-19 response

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned the “harsh” police actions during the enforcement of a strict lockdown in Australia’s Victoria state, the epicentre of the country’s COVID-19 outbreak. In a statement on Thursday, the New York-based rights group said police in the state have engaged in “abusive practices” during the pandemic that raise serious concerns about their commitment to upholding human rights. “Rights should be upheld and reinforced during a pandemic, not abandoned,” said Elaine Pearson, HRW’s Australia director. On August 2, authorities imposed a six-week lockdown in metropolitan Melbourne, the largest city in the southeastern state. The restrictions include a 9pm – 5am curfew, a 5km (3.1 miles) travel limit and widespread business closures. style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; bottom: 0; right: 0; left: 0;">