Meanwhile, Amnesty International expressed their concern, in light of the Secretary General’s remarks, about the situation in Yemen, South Sudan, and Syria. A global ceasefire is a first step to making the violence stop and allowing an effective coronavirus response, with unimpeded access to desperately needed humanitarian assistance. UNITED NATIONS, Mar 25 (IPS) - Conflict experts are concerned the the global ceasefire called for by the United Nations amid the coronavirus outbreak may not work and could lead to a rise in violence. Support for global ceasefire grows. The source spoke over the uncertainty of the US and Russia, saying: "Essentially, the Americans and the Russians were uncomfortable with being bound by a global ceasefire, which might mean that they couldn't take actions in Yemen, Libya, Syria or for the US in Afghanistan, for instance." Your contribution will make a huge difference. Below is a list of the world’s nations. Furthermore, health systems in war-ravaged countries have often reached the point of total collapse, while the few health workers who remain are also seen as targets. It is global, and it should be applied everywhere, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric de la Rivière said on Friday. on this opportunity, such as the Islamic State hoping to profit out of it. However, as per the experts’ analyses, global leaders will likely need to also combat how to address the violence that is arising out of coronavirus. 1) Sign the petition for a global ceasefire. Coronavirus or COVID-19 continues spreading, having passed 400,000 cases globally and claiming more than 17,000 deaths. “If income from these means is reduced, it is possible that crime and looting will increase in areas of Central and South America,” says the report. The virus does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith. It’s thus crucial to encourage countries from further advancing any form of oppression upon others. Copyright © 2020 IPS-Inter Press Service. Another word for cease-fire. The UK’s foreign policy has too often proven dangerous and incoherent – on the one hand signing a UN Security Council resolution calling for a global ceasefire, while on the other selling arms to countries that fuel conflicts, such as in Yemen. 2) Contact your nation’s government and get a clear commitment to engaging in the ceasefire (not just urging others to do so). Our world faces a common enemy: COVID-19. That is what our human family needs, now more than ever.”. To open precious windows for diplomacy. Silence the guns; stop the artillery; end the airstrikes. The UN chief said his Special Envoys will work with warring parties to make sure the cease-fire appeal leads to action. Guterres further called attention to the fact that “the most vulnerable — women and children, people with disabilities, the marginalised and the displaced — pay the highest price” in times of armed conflict, combined with a global health crisis. UPDATE: The United States has blocked a UN vote on a global ceasefire. “Female-headed households, for example, often make up a sizeable proportion of refugee communities, and may be particularly hard hit,” she told IPS. Meanwhile, armed conflict rages on around the world. ♦ Receive daily updates directly in your inbox -. To bring hope to places among the most vulnerable to COVID-19.”. Amnesty International expressed their concern, in light of the United Nations Secretary General’s remarks, about the situation in Yemen, South Sudan, and Syria. To halt a conflict or enforce a ceasefire can be a complicated process, so it’s only a matter of time to see if it will be enforced. A ceasefire is an arrangement in which countries at war agree to stop fighting for a time. While UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for a global ceasefire on March 23rd was met with encouraging responses from many state and non-state actors, its effects on the ground are complex and difficult to predict. “It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives,” … “A global ceasefire would protect children from being killed, maimed or forced from their homes by conflict. As public fear and uncertainty grow around the COVID-19 pandemic, “more than ever before, we need solidarity, hope and the political will to see this crisis through together,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday in his first virtual press conference. ceasefire definition: 1. an agreement, usually between two armies, to stop fighting in order to allow discussions about…. Now. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres appeals for a global ceasefire in a virtual press conference broadcast on UN Web TV. 3) Use the Comments section on this page report on what you learn!. It is a global health crisis that is killing people and spreading human suffering. UNITED NATIONS, Mar 25 2020 (IPS) - Conflict experts are concerned the the global ceasefire called for by the United Nations amid the coronavirus outbreak may not work and could lead to a rise in violence. Readers can find information and guidance on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from the UN, World Health Organization and UN agencies here. “There are…other indications that some groups will try to deal with this through unorthodox means (like kidnapping doctors),” she said. “The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war”, he said. But this is an entirely contextual matter, not something that is likely to happen because of a well-meaning global call. Would you consider a $20.00 contribution today that will help to keep the IPS news wire active? As the UN chief pointed out, COVID-19 does not care about nationality or ethnicity, or other differences between people, and “attacks all, relentlessly”, including during wartime. For daily news updates from UN News, click here. Secondly, ceasefires can be harmful. raising the voices of the South and civil society on issues of development, globalisation, human rights and the environment Copyright © 2020 IPS-Inter Press Service. Cease-fire definition is - a military order to cease firing. A ceasefire (or truce), also spelled cease fire (the antonym of 'open fire'), is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. “The UN must fully assume its responsibilities first doing what we have to do    our peacekeeping operations, our humanitarian agencies, our support to the different bodies of the international community, the Security Council, the General Assembly but, at the same time, it’s a moment in which the UN must be able to address the peoples of the world and appeal for a massive mobilisation and for a massive pressure on governments to make sure that we are able to respond to this crisis, not to mitigate it but to suppress it, to suppress the disease and to address the dramatic economic and social impacts of the disease”, he said. Historically, the concept existed at least by the time of the Middle Ages, when it was known as a 'truce of God'. Countries around the world are putting in measures to ensure they can contain the disease. The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest test the world has faced since the formation of the United Nations. “It starts by stopping the fighting everywhere. Furthermore, many of these countries caught in conflict have healthcare systems that require a lot of improvement. The United States blocked agreement Friday on a UN Security Council resolution that called for a global ceasefire aimed at collectively addressing the … Future of Education is here, San Salvador Steps Up Battle against Landslides and Floods, Online Violence, Fueled by Disinformation and Political Attacks, Deeply Harms Women Journalists, How Africa can Lead the World in the COVID-19 Recovery. Professor Clionadh Raleigh, executive director of Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) says there are layers to this issue. COVID-19 threatening global peace and security, UN chief warns, Act now to avert COVID-19 global food emergency: Guterres, UN chief calls on religious leaders to unite in the fight against COVID-19, ‘Solidarity, hope’ and coordinated global response needed to tackle COVID-19 pandemic, says UN chief. “That is why today, I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world. “I also expect that mob violence and xenophobia will rise.”. Joanne Mariner, senior crisis response adviser at, Professor Clionadh Raleigh, executive director of, She pointed out that there are some armed groups who are. While inspired by new rapprochement and dialogue between combatants to enable joint approaches to push back the disease, the Secretary-General said more still needs to be done. Before the pandemic, two billion people were already living in fragile and conflict-affected states. The ceasefire would allow humanitarians to reach populations that are most vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19, which first emerged in Wuhan, China, last December, and has now been reported in more than 180 countries. Learn more. UNITED NATIONS, Mar 25 2020 (IPS) - Conflict experts are concerned the the global ceasefire called for by the United Nations amid the coronavirus outbreak may not work and could lead to a rise in violence. Asked how he was feeling, Mr. Guterres responded that he is “strongly determined”, underlining that the UN must be active at this moment. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres proposed this global ceasefire:. Launched on March 23 rd, 2020 the UN Secretary-General’s plea for an immediate global ceasefire “to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives” has been gathering steam.See the latest UN update here.. Coronavirus or COVID-19 continues spreading, having passed 400,000 cases globally and claiming more than 17,000 deaths. But what would this kind of ceasefire mean for the countries ravaged by war and conflict as they deal with threats of coronavirus? He answered questions from reporters which were read by Melissa Fleming, head of the UN Department of Global Communications, the parent office of UN News. A global humanitarian ceasefire is a commendable aspiration, but it is most likely to be embraced by some, rejected by others and – even when accepted – observed with varying and evolving degrees of rigour. Three months later, the UN security council has only just agreed to back it. // The National Security Council either wants others to cease firing in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, or is committing the United States to doing so. Many countries such as Canada, United States, and Kenya have closed their borders to non-citizens and/or non-essential travels. The Secretary-General’s appeal was broadcast live over the Internet from a virtual press conference held at UN Headquarters in New York, where most staff are now working from home to help curb further spread of COVID-19. “Displaced persons, fleeing conflict, often live in crowded and unsanitary camps, in which social distancing is very difficult if not impossible, and which clean water may be in short supply,” Mariner of Amnesty, told IPS. UN Secretary-General Calls for Global Ceasefire If this is an unprecedented crisis for rich democracies, it’s even more alarming for the developing world and nations at war, like Syria and Yemen. Fighting Coronavirus: It’s Time to Invest in Universal Public Health, Harassment of Journalists Jeopardises Keeping Public Safe amid Coronavirus Pandemic, Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), Indigenous Leaders want Traditional Knowledge to be Centrepiece of New Global Biodiversity Framework, A Pakistani Farmer is Using Technology to Stop Agricultural Exploitation, Uganda’s School Plan for Refugee Children Could Become a Global Template, Education Cannot Wait. ceasefire meaning: 1. an agreement, usually between two armies, to stop fighting in order to allow discussions about…. Those in bold have indicated support for the global ceasefire. It would stop the attacks on vital infrastructure like health centers and water and sanitation systems. In a reference to his repeated appeals for a ceasefire in conflicts around the world, to focus on the shared struggle to overcome the virus, the Secretary-General pointed out that violence is not confined to the battlefield, and that “for many women and girls, the threat looms largest where they should be safest: in their own homes”. In an appeal issued on Monday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged warring parties across the world to lay down their weapons in support of the bigger battle against  COVID-19: the common enemy that is now threatening all of humankind. She pointed out that there are some armed groups who are capitalising on this opportunity, such as the Islamic State hoping to profit out of it. Readers can find information and guidance on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from the UN, World Health Organization and UN agencies here. So far, there are nearly 300,000 cases worldwide, and more than 12,700 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This is a race to stop the coronavirus infecting millions of people who do not … Last week, the U.N. “This is crucial,” he said, “to help create corridors for life-saving aid, to open precious windows for diplomacy, to bring hope to places among the most vulnerable to COVID-19.”. Meanwhile, there are different types of conflict that can arise as a result of the pandemic itself, according to a report by ACLED launched last week. The ceasefire would allow humanitarians to reach populations that are most vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19, which first emerged in Wuhan, China, last December, and has now been reported in more than 180 countries.. “The ceasefire is a great initiative and while I certainly hope it works, the data suggests otherwise,” she told IPS. António Guterres, the UN secretary general, called for a global ceasefire in late March. The U.S. blocked a U.N. global ceasefire resolution amid the global pandemic on Friday, objecting to language that even indirectly praised the World Health Organization. On Monday, the U.N. secretary general António Guterres appealed for a global ceasefire. So far, there are nearly 300,000 cases worldwide, and more than 12,700 deaths, according to the World Health Organization ().As the UN chief pointed out, COVID-19 does not … United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres Monday called for a global ceasefire to “end the sickness of war” and focus all of the world’s resources on fighting the pandemic. Please help make this idea a reality by taking these steps: 1) Sign the petition for a global ceasefire. “An immediate global ceasefire would markedly reduce these impacts, allow for much-needed humanitarian assistance and protection, and hopefully diminish the … Coronavirus or COVID-19 continues spreading, having passed 400,000 cases globally and claiming more than 17,000 deaths. For daily news updates from UN News, click here. It is the most vulnerable - women and children, people with disabilities, the marginalized, displaced and refugees - who pay the highest price during conflict and who are most at risk of suffering “devastating losses” from the disease. We need help in both getting all of the other nations on board, and in pinning down exactly what each nation is committing to. Could the Coronavirus Be a Biological Weapon in the Not-Too-Distant Future? Credit: Jared Ferrie/IPS. They have agreed to a ceasefire after three years of conflict. The Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire is exactly that. All rights reserved. Find more ways to say cease-fire, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. If a ceasefire seems likely, there is every chance that military action will increase in the short term, so that any ceasefire kicks in at a time of maximum military advantage. Learn more. This dated picture shows a photo of the sprawling settlement of Yida, South Sudan border. France, Russia, the UK, the US, and China comprise the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, meaning support from all five members would be required for a ceasefire … All rights reserved. NEW YORK — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called Monday for a global ceasefire as the world battles the coronavirus pandemic. This is crucial, he said, “to help create corridors for life-saving aid. This story includes downloadable print-quality images -- Copyright IPS, to be used exclusively with this story. This was especially of urgency as the disease continues to spread with people in transit, and would thus risk refugees in transit, according to the spokesperson’s office. “Many women, including migrant domestic workers, face the possibility of being unprotected caregivers; they also may be at higher risk of losing their jobs.”. UNITED NATIONS, Mar 25 2020 (IPS) - Conflict experts are concerned the the global ceasefire called for by the United Nations amid the coronavirus outbreak may not work and could lead to a rise in violence. Ceasefire After the Second World War this term was added to the list of those long used to indicate the various ways of ceasing or suspending hostilities, namely, suspension of hostilities (truce), capitulation and armistice. “The health care infrastructure in countries facing armed conflict is often extremely weak, particularly when, as in Syria, hospitals have been bombed and doctors killed,” says Amnesty’s Mariner. Refugee Agency and the U.N. Migration Agency, the International Organisation of Migration or IOM, announced that they are “suspending resettlement departures for refugees.”. The new term has caused some confusion. IPS is an international communication institution with a global news agency at its core, The International Crisis Group in an April 9 th commentary stated:. UPDATE: Reportedly, Russia and the United States have been standing in the way of the global ceasefire. Coronavirus or COVID-19 continues spreading, having passed 400,000 cases globally and claiming more than 17,000 deaths. It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives.”, To warring parties: Pull back from hostilities. This is crucial to help create corridors for life-saving aid, open windows for diplomacy & bring hope to places among the most vulnerable to #COVID19 - @antonioguterres. A ceasefire would, at least to a limited extent, give countries in conflict a little more room to put aggressive efforts into preparing for the potentially devastating impact of the virus. Joanne Mariner, senior crisis response adviser at Amnesty International, says they’re monitoring the gender aspect of the pandemic and how it can disproportionately affect women and girls. “And we can only do it if we do it together, if we do in a coordinated way, if we do it with intense solidarity and cooperation, and that is the raison d’etre of the United Nations itself”. “Governments may also rely on alternative forces to impose restrictions, and in doing so, increase the use of repressive violence,” reads a part of the report, which also includes other kinds of violence or conflict such as gang violence arising out of the financial instability that the world is witnessing. A senior UN chief has called for a global ceasefire, like the one in north western Syria (pictured), so countries can focus on fighting COVID-19, it comes as … The UN chief called on warring parties to pull back from hostilities, put aside mistrust and animosity, and “silence the guns; stop the artillery; end the airstrikes”. The source spoke over the uncertainty of the US and Russia, saying: "Essentially, the Americans and the Russians were uncomfortable with being bound by a … It attacks all, relentlessly. A ceasefire would, at least to a limited extent, give countries in conflict a little more room to put aggressive efforts into preparing for the potentially devastating impact of the virus. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres proposed this global ceasefire: Our world faces a common enemy: COVID-19. “End the sickness of war and fight the disease that is ravaging our world”, he appealed. - Terms & Conditions. 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