Inaction on Covid-19 pandemic by Security Council, paralyzed by confrontation between the United States and China "who seem incapable of leadership" at the UN, is "shameful," said Tuesday, May 19. several NGOs.

Two months after a call by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to a ceasefire worldwide to better fight the disease, the Council failed to agree on a resolution supporting this initiative, reproach in an International Rescue Committee, International Crisis Group or Save the Children press release, which are among the signatories.

"The Security Council's paralysis with Covid-19 is shameful. For millions of people, it is also incomprehensible," said David Miliband, head of the International Rescue Committee.

The paralysis of the UN Security Council in the face of COVID is shameful. To millions of people, it is also incomprehensible. This is not a failure that can be blamed on UN bureaucracy. It is a failure of the member states. https://t.co/9EDY4PpJen

- David Miliband (@DMiliband) May 19, 2020

"Historical opportunity"

For Rob Malley, President of International Crisis Group, "the United States and China treated the" resolution "negotiations as an opportunity to transfer responsibility for the origin of the Covid-19" rather than favoring "an appeal direct to a reduction in violence. " "Neither Washington nor Beijing seems to have the capacity or the will to show leadership at the UN during a global crisis," he said.

I share @ DMiliband's frustration with #UNSC divisions over COVID19.

The US & China have treated negotiations as an opportunity for a blame-game over the origins of COVID-19 rather than an opening to make a straightforward call for a reduction in violence during the pandemic. https://t.co/vLwPT8GHq9

- Robert Malley (@Rob_Malley) May 19, 2020

At the head of Save the Children, Inger Ashing said that the Security Council "has a historic opportunity to stop the fighting in the world and to ensure that humanitarian workers have full access to those who have them most need. "

Since Washington's rejection on May 8 of a compromise text proposed by France and Tunisia, negotiations in the Security Council have been at an impasse. The United States rejects any mention of the World Health Organization while China wants a reference in the resolution.

Unlike the Security Council, the UN General Assembly has already adopted two pandemic resolutions, one on April 3 to strengthen international cooperation and the other on April 20 to demand equitable access to future vaccines.

With AFP

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