This week’s edition focuses largely on the issues of discrimination, stigma and human rights challenges that have arisen as a result of responses and measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. We feature an article by Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in South Africa, who reflects on the strides that the organisation is making to contribute to the fight against stigma and discrimination. Solomon Dersso, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, raises the alarm on the impact of COVID-19 not only on political freedoms and socio-economic rights, but also on the rights to health and life. The efforts aimed at ensuring the involvement, engagement and partnerships with the youth in Africa are emphasised by Chiamaka Nwachukwu and Raouf Farrah, as they share the work being done by the African Youth Front on Coronavirus. The edition ends with Nontobeko Gcabashe and Rumbidzaishe Matambo’s call for more engagements and the raising of awareness to confront the stigma and discrimination relating to COVID-19 that has been experienced in some countries over the last few months.