The United Nations Security Council adopted its first resolution on Myanmar in 74 years to demand an end to the violence and call on the military junta to release all political prisoners, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military took power from Suu Kyi’s elected government on February 1, 2021, and arrested her and other officials, and responded with deadly force to pro-democracy protests and opposition.
After the vote on the British draft, Barbara Woodward, the British Ambassador to the UN, said: “Today we are sending a firm message to the military that they should not be in doubt – we hope that this resolution will be fully implemented.” she said.
“We are also sending a clear message to the people of Myanmar that we are trying to make progress in line with their rights, aspirations and interests,” Woodward said at the 15-member council.
There has long been a split over how to handle the Myanmar crisis, with China and Russia opposing strong action. Both abstained, along with India, in Wednesday’s vote. The remaining 12 members voted in favour.
“China still has concerns,” China’s ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun, told the council after the vote. “There is no quick fix to the problem… Whether it can be resolved properly in the end depends primarily and solely on Myanmar itself.”
Vassily Nebenzia, Russian Ambassador to the UN, said that Moscow does not see the situation in Myanmar as a threat to international peace and security and therefore believes that it should not be addressed by the UN Security Council.
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.