24 A NATION LEFT BEHIND 5. Coronavirus and the Civil War “ People in central Burma are to be protected during this pandemic, while those in ethnic areas are not only to be deprived of help, but bombed, killed and forced into conditions of heightened health risk.” Karen Peace Support Network, 17 April 202080 On the critical day of 23 March, the UN states, with specific reference to Myanmar, to Secretary-General António Guterres called “heed the call” of the UN Secretary-General for a worldwide ceasefire so that armed actors for a ceasefire.82 On 2 April, the ambassadors could focus their resources on fighting “the of nearly 20 countries and the EU published real” enemy: coronavirus.81 In the week that a statement in support of these calls for a followed, this demand was echoed by EAOs “cessation of hostilities” in Myanmar and the and CSOs throughout Myanmar. The CNF, easing of restrictions on internet access and KNU, KNPP, RCSS, and the Three Brotherhood media.83 Alliance (which includes the TNLA, AA and the Of note is that the NLD government is ethnic Kokang’s Myanmar National Democratic one of the only prominent actors in Myanmar’s Alliance Army) have all called on the Myanmar peace process that did not make this demand military to declare a unilateral nationwide of the country’s armed forces. ceasefire during the COVID-19 pandemic, and In any case, the Myanmar military system- committed to doing the same. More than 400 atically ramped up offensives across the coun- organizations jointly urged ASEAN member try while flatly rejecting calls for a nationwide 80 Karen Peace Support Network. “COVID-19 response in Burma exposes glaring double standards.” 17 April 2020. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/KPSN.karen/photos/pcb.2635124270097831/2635114806765444/?type=3&theater 81 António Guterres. “Secretary-General Calls for Global Ceasefire, Citing War-Ravaged Health Systems, Populations Most Vulnerable to Novel Coronavirus.” United Nations: Statements and Messages. 23 March 2020. Available at: https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20018.doc.htm 82 Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)-Southeast Asia and the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID). “Southeast Asian States Should Heed Call for Global Ceasefire, Ensure Conflict Sensitivity and Human Rights in Responding to COVID19 Crisis.” 30 March 2020. Available at: https://progressivevoicemyanmar. org/2020/03/30/southeast-asian-states-should-heed-call-for-global-ceasefire-ensure-conflict-sensitivity-and-human-rights-in-responding-to-covid19-crisis/ 83 Ambassadors of Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, United States of America. “Statement From Ambassadors to Myanmar.” U.S. Embassy in Burma. 1 April 2020. Available at: https:// mm.usembassy.gov/statement-from-ambassadors-to-myanmar/