UN chief cites new threat from virus to civilians in conflict zones

Innocent civilians trapped by violence now face "a new and deadly threat" from COVID-19, the United Nations chief told the Security Council on Wednesday, warning that the pandemic is "amplifying and exploiting the fragilities of our world".

"Protecting civilians requires us to do much more to ensure compliance with international law and accountability for violations. We must also do more to prevent, reduce and resolve conflicts," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a high-level videoconference on the protection of civilians amid armed conflict.

"Sustainable political solutions remain the only way to ensure that civilians are kept safe from harm," he added.

Ambassador Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, expounded his country's position on the issue. Zhang said that the best approach to protecting civilians is to address the root causes of conflicts and to promote the development for peace.

Zhang called for the international community to effectively implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with poverty eradication as the first priority, and to jointly pursue "innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development".

Zhang said that the Security Council should tirelessly prevent and peacefully resolve conflicts through political dialogue, mediation and negotiation.

In March, Guterres called for a global cease-fire. "A global cease-fire would create conditions for a stronger response to the pandemic and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable people and would open space for dialogue," he said.

But that support has not been translated into concrete action. "In some cases, the pandemic may even create incentives for warring parties to press their advantage," Guterres added, "or to strike hard while international attention is focused elsewhere".

Zhang echoed Guterres by saying that all parties to conflicts should respond positively to the secretary-general's call for a global cease-fire and to move toward political settlement through inclusive dialogue.

"The fundamental principles of international law, such as peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the threat or use of force, must be upheld," Zhang stressed.

Zhang emphasized that all parties to the conflict "must fulfill their obligations of protecting civilians under international law and give special attention and care to vulnerable groups, in particular women and children".

National governments must bear the primary responsibility to protect their civilians, said Zhang, adding that the international community should respect the sovereignty of countries concerned.

Meanwhile, he stressed that the protection of civilians should not be politicized or used as an excuse for interference in internal affairs or even regime change.

Given the risk that the COVID-19 pandemic poses to civilians in armed conflict zones, Zhang called for the relevant countries to lift unilateral sanctions immediately and join the global effort in combating the virus, including by supporting the role of the World Health Organization.

Zhang told the meeting that China has provided medical assistance and sent medical teams to countries in armed conflict, helping them to fight COVID-19.

At the recent World Health Assembly, President Xi Jinping announced several significant measures to boost international cooperation against the pandemic. Zhang said China will continue to deliver support for countries in need.