<p>States need to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people do not face discrimination or fear retribution for seeking healthcare amid the COVID-19 crisis, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Friday, as the UN Human Rights Office published a new guidance note for States and other stakeholders on&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/LGBT/LGBTIpeople.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1587444734700000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEY-IbLNjicL55z_ozi2faJ14oXVw" href="https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/LGBT/LGBTIpeople.pdf" target="_blank">COVID-19 and the human rights of LGBTI people.</a>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Southeast Asian governments must immediately launch search and rescue operations for likely hundreds of Rohingya languishing at sea, amid mounting reports of vessels attempting dangerous trips in search of safety, said Amnesty International on Saturday (18 April).</p>

<p>Boxing stadium receptionist Wuttisak Muangmaitong opens up about his experience of recovering from the COVID-19 virus and facing social stigmatization as a survivor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>11 human rights organizations issued a joint open letter to the&nbsp;Department of Corrections Director-General Pol Col Naras Savestanan calling for the Thai authorities to take immediate steps&nbsp;to release prisoners and ensure the health and safety of all those in detention facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p>In light of the serious threat posed to prisoners by the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, FIDH and its undersigned member organisations recall governments&#39; obligation to ensure the safety and health of detained individuals that are under their responsibility, and launch a campaign, #ForFreedom, to call for the release of all jailed human rights defenders (HRDs).</p>

<p>The Immigration Bureau <a href="https://immigration.go.th/content/visa_auto_extension">announced</a> on Tuesday (7 April) that all foreigners&rsquo; visas will be automatically extended as an effort to prevent long queues at immigration centres and control the spread of COVID-19.</p>