Covid-19 and Atrocity Prevention in East Asia

Description

This edited volume examines the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on peoples and states in East Asia. The book brings together selected case studies in Southeast Asia and the wider East Asian region that analyse how states in the region have responded to the pandemic and its multi-dimensional threats to human security, including risks of atrocity crimes. In the context of protecting human security and upholding the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), the work analyses how such a consequential crisis has compounded socio-economic and political problems, exacerbated societal fault lines, and created new types of risks for people’s safety and security. Using the United Nations Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes: A Tool for Prevention, the book presents seven case studies that identify relevant risks factors confronting selected countries and the extent to which the global pandemic has magnified and/or exacerbated such risks for affected populations. It draws key lessons on how states should manage extant and emerging risks for atrocity crimes and how they can build and enhance their capabilities for preventing atrocities in both conflict-affected and relatively stable states, particularly within the context of Pillar 1 (prevention) and Pillar 2 (capacity building) of the R2P principle. This book will be of much interest to students of the Responsibility to Protect, humanitarian protection, Asian politics, International Relations and Security studies. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Notes on Editors and Contributors Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction: COVID-19, Responsibility to Protect and Pathways towards Human Security 1.1 Introduction 1.2 COVID-19 and Prevention of Atrocities 1.2.1 APR2P memo on the pandemic 1.3 Revisiting the Notion of Protection 1.3.1 Who do we protect, when and how? 1.3.2 Towards expanding the scope of protection 1.3.3 Who provides protection? 1.4 COVID-19 and Atrocity Prevention in East Asia 1.5 Key Themes 1.5.1 Extraordinary responses 1.5.2 Uneven implementation 1.5.3 Militarised responses 1.5.4 Worsening violence and conflict 1.6 Key Findings from Case Studies 1.6.1 Protecting the vulnerable in Southeast Asia Indonesia Myanmar The Philippines Singapore 1.6.2 Protecting the vulnerable in Northeast Asia China Japan South Korea 1.7 Covid-19, Protection and Human Security: Insights from the Case Studies Notes 2. Indonesia: COVID-19 and Risk of Atrocity 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Risk of Atrocity before COVID-19 2.3 Impact of COVID-19 on Risk of Atrocity 2.3.1 COVID-19 impacts on traditional vulnerable populations Minority groups: Chinese-descent Indonesians and Christians Migrant workers, casual and informal workers People in areas experiencing tensions Women Activists Refugees 2.3.2 Emerging vulnerable groups 2.4 State Response 2.4.1 Initial response 2.4.2 Regulatory framework and pandemic management 2.4.3 Distribution of social assistance 2.4.4 Involvement of military actors 2.5 Conclusion Notes 3. Myanmar: COVID-19 and Militarisation Spiral into Atrocity Crimes 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Background: Risks Pre-dating the Pandemic 3.2.1 Political instability, military dominance, weak institutions 3.2.2 Past atrocity crimes and armed conflict 3.2.3 Human rights and vulnerable populations 3.3 COVID-19 Pandemic: Risk Factors Compounded 3.3.1 Increased violence 3.3.2 Restrictions on movement, speech and information 3.3.3 Communal tensions 3.3.4 Public health and access to healthcare 3.3.5 Livelihood insecurity Workers in Myanmar Migrant workers 3.4 2021 Coup: Triggering Factors 3.4.1 Abrupt regime change and political dynamics Attacks against life and liberty of opposition Attacks on healthcare Attacks on civil society 3.4.2 Hostilities and military deployment (and atrocity crimes) 3.4.3 Extraordinary security measures that curtail rights 3.4.4 Worsening pandemic (and natural disasters) 3.5 Conclusion: Serious Threat of Atrocity Crimes Notes 4. The Philippines: A Feminist Analysis of Atrocity Prevention and Pandemic Response 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Continuum of Violence in the Philippines Prior to the Pandemic 4.2.1 Pre-pandemic atrocity risk factors 4.3 The Pandemic as Window of Opportunity for Violence 4.4 Ongoing Challenges for Protection and Prevention of Violence 4.5 Conclusion and Recommendations Notes 5. Singapore: Migrant Workers, a Vulnerable Community during COVID-19 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Singapore, Atrocity Prevention and COVID-19 5.3 Migrant Labour in Singapore 5.4 Impact of COVID-19 on Migrant Workers in Singapore 5.4.1 Health impacts of COVID-19 5.4.2 Economic impacts of COVID-19 5.4.3 Social impact of COVID-19 5.4.4 Singapore's response to COVID-19 Government response to the surge in dormitory cases Civil society response to the surge in dormitory cases Analysis of Singapore's response 5.5 Moving Forward 5.5.1 At the regional level 5.5.2 At the national level 5.5.3 A systemic shift for the future Notes 6. China: Risk and Vulnerability during COVID-19 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Framework of Atrocity Crimes and Analysing Humanitarian Risks for Vulnerable Populations in China 6.3 Impacts of COVID-19 in China: The Big Picture 6.4 Vulnerable Groups Impacted by COVID-19 in China 6.4.1 Seniors: Plight amplified by digital divide 6.4.2 Women: Risks worsened by deep-rooted sexism 6.4.3 Low-income migrant workers: Economic and social insecurity exacerbated by urban-rural divide 6.5 Risk Factors and Impact on Vulnerable Groups 6.5.1 Weakness of state structure 6.5.2 Flawed centralised control 6.5.3 Inadequate transparency and public accountability 6.5.4 Weak public health infrastructure 6.6 Weak Mitigating Factors 6.6.1 Limited empowerment 6.6.2 Lack of strong CSOs 6.6.3 Ineffective early warning 6.7 Enabling Circumstances: Draconian Containment Measures 6.8 Government Response 6.8.1 Expanding healthcare and social services for the elderly 6.8.2 Short-term and long-term assistance for migrant workers 6.8.3 Inadequate response to sexism 6.9 Rise of Cyber Volunteerism 6.10 Conclusion Notes 7. Japan: COVID-19 and the Vulnerable 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Overview: COVID-19 Impacts and the Government's Response 7.2.1 Initial response 7.2.2 Relief package 7.2.3 Balancing saving lives and the economy 7.2.4 Japan Model and the 3Cs method 7.3 Vulnerable Populations 7.3.1 Single-parent, low-income families 7.3.2 Non-regular local workers 7.3.3 Migrant workers 7.3.4 Refugees 7.3.5 Asylum seekers 7.3.6 Sick and injured people 7.3.7 Medical workers 7.3.8 Students 7.4 Responses Aimed at Vulnerable Populations 7.4.1 At the national level Assistance for people in financial crisis Assistance for migrant workers Measures for asylum seekers 7.4.2 At the local level Assistance for people in financial crisis Assistance for foreign residents 7.5 Atrocity Risks 7.5.1 Assessing the government's response to the risks 7.5.2 Identifying critical points 7.6 Recommendations for Protecting Vulnerable Populations 7.7 Conclusion Notes 8. Korea: COVID-19, the Vulnerable and Protection 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Economic Impacts, Workers and Small Businesses 8.3 Impacts on Migrant and Foreign Communities 8.4 Disruption of Schooling and Widening Educational Gap 8.5 Protecting the Vulnerable: Domestic and Regional Measures 8.6 Conclusion Notes 9. Conclusion: COVID-19 and Its Implications for Atrocity Prevention in East Asia Notes Bibliography Index