Myanmar’s Weaponization of COVID-19 23 March was chosen as the starting point in organizing the data because it is the day in restrict rights and freedoms in the name of fighting the virus. which the government made three major an- That is what the Myanmar military did. nouncements that later proved to empower It amplified its offensives against the newly the military: the confirmation of COVID-19 minted “terrorist” AA after more than one year in the country; the declaration of the Arakan of brutal fighting in Rakhine and Chin States. Army (AA) as a terrorist organization; and the During the short span of this report, it was issuing of an order by the Ministry of Commu- found that more than 30,000 people had been nications and Transport (MoTC) to telecom- displaced in the violence. In addition, at least munications providers to block the websites 174 people have been killed and 229 wounded in of alleged “fake news.” The 23 March decla- Rakhine and Chin States due to armed conflict, rations set into motion a series of shutdowns according to a local civil society organization, and arrests of voices critical of the military, Burma Monitor. Former UN Special Rapporteur including a block on multiple independent on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, ethnic media sites reporting from conflict ar- Yanghee Lee, has described the military’s eas and legal charges against their editors. The targeting of civilians in the region during the crackdown highlights a pattern in which the pandemic as potentially “amount[ing] to war government issues a directive demonizing a crimes and crimes against humanity.”2 perceived Myanmar military enemy, and state Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the security forces use it to selectively silence Myanmar state has crafted a narrative in which their critics. It serves as a warning to anyone it claims to be utilizing all available resources even remotely associated with – or who may to care for vulnerable communities, in spite have had contact with – ethnic armed orga- of efforts by EAOs to destabilize them. With nizations (EAOs) that they could be the next no offers of support from the government target of repressive measures. for COVID-19 prevention for more than one Within days of the announcements, the month, EAOs launched their own respective military was placed at the head of the country’s health campaigns in their territories to fight COVID-19 emergency response committee, a the virus. These activities have been met with team with no representation from the Ministry Myanmar military obstruction that ranges from of Health and Sports (MoHS), and powers to threats against civilians for accepting material prosecute anyone deemed to be spreading support from EAO medics to the destruction “misinformation.” In signing the committee of their medical checkpoints. Meanwhile, into action, the NLD government essentially international assistance continues to flow to offered up a path through which the military the central government – and by default, the could continue its operations and further military – in the name of pandemic response, 2 UN OHCHR. “Myanmar: “Possible war crimes and crimes against humanity ongoing in Rakhine and Chin States” – UN Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee.” 29 April 2020. Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/ DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25838&LangID=E 3