UN's HRC criticizes Myanmar for military coup

The United Nations' Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday denounced last week's military coup in Myanmar saying it was "a profound setback for the country after a decade of hard won gains in its democratic transition."

Nada al-Nashif said "clear results" of the general elections in November 2020 had been "effectively betrayed by the coup and the declaration of a one year state of emergency."

Opening an urgent session in Geneva, the Human Rights Council has faced calls for more action from the UN in demanding the release of people "arbitrarily detained" — including civilian government leader Aung San Suu Kyi — and more action by UN officials to increase scrutiny of the country.The council has no power to impose sanctions, but can train a potent political spotlight on rights abuses and violations.

Myint Thu, Myanmar's ambassador to the council said in light of the post election irregularities, the military had been "compelled to take the state responsibility in accordance with the state constitution."Friday's session came shortly after the Biden administration, which has already imposed sanctions on top coup leaders, revived US participation at the 47-member Geneva body.

A draft resolution, presented by Britain and the European Union, calls for the "immediate and unconditional release" of Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and other top officials in the government, a lifting of restrictions on the internet and unimpeded humanitarian access, among other things.It also calls on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet to give the independent UN special rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, "increased assistance, resources and expertise" to carry out his job.

Andrews said the people of Myanmar feared "being forced to go back into the darkness of living under a brutal, repressive, authoritarian regime."

Speaking via video link, he said "the message from the people of Myanmar to all of you and to the people of the world is clear. This cannot stand."

Andrews, a former US congressman, has been seeking the right to visit Myanmar, which its government has denied.A parade of Western and other countries denounced the state of emergency and coup.

Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said in a video message his country would "suspend all direct development cooperation with the now illegitimate government" but "continue to support the civil society of Myanmar."The February 1 coup led by Min Aung Hlaing ousted Nobel laureate Suu Kyi and prevented recently elected lawmakers from opening a new session of Parliament.