12 May

Statement No (4/2O2O)

11 May 2020

1. In its Statement issued on 9 May 2020, the Tatmadaw announced that it will enforce ceasefire from 10 May to 31 August 2O2O in areas except those where the Government designated terrorist groups are situated. According to the statement, reasons are being twofold. The first is to be able to effectively carry out the measures on the containment, prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in Myanmar and the second is to restore eternal peace.

2. While the entire country is actively engaged in addressing the most threatening health issue ever confronted by Myanmar and its negative impact on the social and economic life of the country, this initiative of the Tatmadaw is timely and should be welcome as it will contribute to the eventual success of our current struggle against COVID -19 as well as that of national peace process.

3. The most immediate effect is that the conflict areas will witness peace, though temporary, and the communities in those areas will, consequently, be able to concentrate more on measures against COVID-19. In addition, in the view of the MNHRC, peaceful conditions in conflict-affected areas will, for the time being, render more easier the provision of humanitarian assistance urgently needed by the communities therein.

4. The MNHRC expects positive impact during the ceasefire. When it is achieved and appreciated by all concerned quarters, we can hope for further ceasefires initiatives to emerge in the immediate future and will pave the way for momentous peace process.

The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission