UN calls for more to tackle new forms of aggression of using cyberattacks on healthcare facilities

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called on nations to tackle the “malicious" use of digital technology to conduct cyberattacks on critical civilian infrastructure and healthcare facilities, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying more must be done to prevent and end these "new forms of aggression.”

“As we meet today, the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, causing enormous human suffering and additional stress to health systems, economies and communities. Those that are already weakened by years of armed conflict are particularly vulnerable,” Secretary General Guterres said in remarks to the Security Council Open Debate on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict.

“COVID-19 is not only spreading sickness and death; it is pushing people into poverty and hunger. In some cases, it is reversing decades of development progress,” he said.

Guterres repeated his call to States to develop national frameworks to strengthen the protection of civilians in armed conflict, adding that nations must also ensure accountability through strengthened efforts to prevent serious violations of international law, by prioritising investigation and prosecution.

“I urge all to move beyond rhetoric and close the accountability gap through national legislation and coordinated international action,” Guterres said.

He emphasized that nations “must tackle the malicious use of digital technology to conduct cyberattacks on critical civilian infrastructure. Reports from several countries indicate a rise in cyberattacks on healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We must do more to prevent and end these new forms of aggression, which can cause further severe harm to civilians.”

Further, armed drones are increasingly being used to conduct attacks in many situations of armed conflict, including Libya and Yemen. “We need to reassert the authority of international law over their use.”

The UN chief also stressed the need to address the legal, moral and ethical implications posed by the development of lethal autonomous weapons systems. “It is my deep conviction that machines with the power and discretion to take lives without human involvement must be prohibited by international law.”

Voicing concern that civilians caught up in violence now face a new and deadly threat from COVID-19, Guterres said the pandemic is amplifying and exploiting the fragilities of the world.

“Conflict is one of the greatest causes of that fragility. 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,” he said.

Tens of thousands of children were forced to take part in hostilities in 2019 and millions of people were displaced as a result of armed conflict. At the end of 2019, the International Committee of the Red Cross was handling some 140,000 requests from families of missing people, the UN Chief told the Council.

(Photo Credit: PTI)