UN Security Council takes no action on coup in Myanmar

U.N. envoy for Myanmar urged an emergency meeting of Security Council on Tuesday to ensure that “democracy is expeditiously restored” to Souast Asian nation, but United Nations' most powerful body took immediate action.

Christine Schraner Burgener, Myanmar ambassor who is currently in Europe, strongly condemned military’s takeover of government and said council must “collectively send a clear signal in support of democracy in Myanmar” and ensure country “doesn’t fall back into isolation.”

Diplomats said restoring democracy was key element of a draft statement prepared for council to release to media after closed-door meeting, along with a condemnation of military's action and call for immediate release of all those detained.

But statement was t issued because it requires support from all 15 council members and U.N. missions for China and Russia said y needed to send it to ir capitals for review, diplomats said, speaking on condition of anymity because meeting was closed. China has close ties to Myanmar.

Schraner Burgener told council that Myanmar military’s declaration of a state of emergency and detention of top leers including Aung San Suu Kyi and dozens of lawmakers and civilian officials just as new parliamentary session was about to open Monday “was surprising and shocking.”

military said seizure of power was necessary because government h t acted on military’s unsubstantiated claims of fraud in vember’s election in which Suu Kyi’s party won a majority of seats.

Britain’s U.N. ambassor, Barbara Woodward, current council president, told reporters after meeting that ambassors echoed widespre international concerns about military’s action at virtual session.

“And we welcome role of regional partners ... to resolve this crisis,” including Association of Souast Asian Nations, she said.

Brunei, which chairs 10-nation regional ASEAN group, including Myanmar, issued a statement Monday ting bloc's principles include “ herence to principles of democracy, rule of law and good governance, respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

statement encourd “ pursuance of dialogue, reconciliation and return to rmalcy in accordance with will and interests of people of Myanmar.”

But it me mention of any action by ASEAN to take le in returning Myanmar to a democratic path.

At United Nations, Woodward said: “Discussions will continue among council colleagues on next steps. I certainly hope that we will be able to speak with one voice.”

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, called Myanmar “a friendly neighbor" Tuesday and expressed hope that all parties “will properly handle ir differences under constitutional and legal framework and maintain political and social stability.”

“Whatever actions taken by international community shall contribute to Myanmar’s political and social stability, promote its peace and reconciliation, and avoid escalating conflict and complicating situation,” Wang said in Beijing.

Myanmar has been a very difficult issue for Security Council to take any action, but t impossible.

In vember 2017, council opted a presidential statement condemning widespre violence in rrn Rakhine State and expressing grave concern at reported human rights violations by Myanmar’s security forces against mirity Rohingya Muslims. It called on government to ensure “ furr excessive use of military force,” which led 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Banglesh.

Before Tuesday’s council meeting, U.N.'s director for group Human Rights Watch, Louis Charbonneau, said council's “abysmal failure to dress Myanmar’s past appalling human rights abuses assured military y could do as y please without serious consequences.”

He called on council to demand immediate release of all detained political leers and activists and restoration of civilian democratic rule. He said sanctions should be imposed “on those military leers responsible.”

Amnesty International’s deputy director of vocacy, Sherine Tros, urged council to freeze assets of Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, w in charge of government, and or military leers responsible for crimes against ethnic mirities, including Rohingya.

“ Security Council must also impose a comprehensive global arms embargo on Myanmar, and crucially, refer situation in Myanmar to International Criminal Court,” she said.

U.S. President Joe Biden’s ministration on Tuesday called Myanmar military’s action a coup, setting st for sanctions and or measures targeting what State Department officials said was “ very small circle of military generals” responsible.

While U.S. and or Western nations may impose sanctions on Myanmar, Security Council approval of targeted measures is highly unlikely. That would take a resolution, which China would likely veto.

Getting approval for a press statement remains a possibility, but t a certainty.

Sven Jürgenson, U.N. ambassor for council member Estonia, supported proposed statement, strongly condemning coup and urging Myanmar’s military to respect 2008 constitution, allow Parliament to do its work, and “recommit to peace process.”

(Im Credit: AP)