First, I want to thank the briefers for their overview on the topic.
When Estonia first tried to raise COVID-19 in Security Council in March 2020, the numbers were following: 413 000 confirmed cases and over 18 000 deaths. This is according to WHO from 25. March 2020. Fast forward not even a year, but 10 months and the numbers are following: over 100 million cases and over 2 million deaths. That is a rise of over 24 000% in confirmed cases and over 11 000% rise in deaths.
This is an unprecedented situation for all of us, meaning we must be more cooperative than ever to come through the pandemic with as little damage as possible. For that, we need strong multilateralism and we feel that we have wind in our sails. The Security Council must show strength and unity in dealing with the security implications of the pandemic.
Estonia continues to stress that all UN countries follow norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. During the fight with the pandemic, most of the resources must go into tackling the virus, not attacking health organisations and citizens online. We hereby also reiterate our support to Secretary General’s call for a Global Ceasefire. Nevertheless, our global response to the pandemic is also weakened by the malicious use of cyber means. According to Europol, COVID-19 has sparked an upward trend in cybercrime. Many attacks have been directed against health institutions. We must address and condemn cyber-attacks against hospitals, which can pose a direct threat to human lives. Countries should take steps to strengthen the rule of law in cyberspace and curb malicious activities against the health sector.
We must not dilute our focus. Using COVID as a pretext for lifting sanctions is misleading. Sanctions are too often made a scapegoat for the mismanagement of resources by governments who are not willing to take responsibility for their actions or omissions. European Union sanctions are targeted and do not obstruct the fight against the pandemic. Both EU and UN sanctions include the possibility of humanitarian exemptions. Targeted sanctions do not play a role in how well a country can deal with the pandemic.
We know that the pandemic and its consequences have a growing negative impact on human rights, democracy and the rule of law, including on civic space. Curtailing human rights and restricting civil space under the pretext of COVID-19 is unacceptable.
Last, but not least, as outlined in the COVID omnibus resolution in the General Assembly, Estonia reiterates our support to ensure global access to medicines, vaccines and medical equipment to face COVID-19.
Thank you
