The human rights group, Amnesty International, says the coronavirus pandemic has brutally exposed and deepened inequalities around the world.

Its annual report, published on Wednesday, says the worst impact has been on the most vulnerable people, including refugees and migrants.

It cites the closure of Uganda border at the start of the pandemic that affected 10,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It also says there's been a marked increase in violence against women and domestic abuse due to the restriction in movement.

The report criticises some world leaders for exploiting the crisis to launch fresh attacks on human rights. The Philippines, Nigeria, Brazil and India are accused of using the pandemic as an excuse for tougher policing.

The report also mentions rich countries taking up the bulk of world's supply of vaccines and putting other countries in a disadvantaged position.

“The pandemic has cast a harsh light on the world’s inability to cooperate effectively in times of dire global need," says Amnesty's secretary-general, Agnes Callamard.