UN expert dismisses Security Council Resolution on Myanmar as weak

New Delhi: A UN expert has criticised the Security Council Resolution ad0pted Wednesday on Myanmar  as week that will not serve the purpose for which it was adopted.

Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, said that what was required was strong action.

‘’Demanding that certain actions be taken without any use of the Security Council’s Chapter VII authority, will not stop the illegal Myanmar junta from attacking and destroying the lives of the 54 million people being held hostage in Myanmar”, he said in a statement.

The resolution expressed “deep concern” at the continuing state of emergency since the military seized power and the “grave impact” of the coup on Myanmar’s people.

It also urged “concrete and immediate actions” towards implementing a peace plan, which was agreed to by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and called to uphold “democratic institutions and processes”.

There is no unanimity in the Council as regards the way to deal with Myanmar. China and Russia do not want strong action. They, along with India, abstained from Wednesday’s vote while the remaining 12 members voted in favor.

The Military junta of Myanmar is not represented at the UN because the General Assembly’s accreditation committee has allowed the representatives of the democratically-elected government led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to continue in Myanmar’s seat.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, while calling for the release of political prisoners and the restoration of democracy, however, said the resolution will not serve any purpose to achieve those goals.

She said the resolution may “entrench the parties in their inflexible positions rather than encourage them to pursue an inclusive dialogue” .

Mr. Andrews spelled out that “the systematic gross human rights violations – amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity – being perpetrated daily on the people of Myanmar by an illegal military junta requires strong, coordinated action by UN Member States”.

While acknowledged that the resolution’s demands – including an immediate end to all forms of violence, the release of political prisoners, unimpeded humanitarian access, and respect for the rights of women and children – are “critically important” but missing are “consequences for the failure to meet them and the imposition of sanctions and accountability for crimes the military has committed to date”.

He agreed with Security Council members Norway, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Iceland, and Mexico in saying that the language of the resolution should have been stronger.

The resolution makes clear however, that the action required to end the crisis would not come from the Security Council, the UN expert said.

“It is, therefore, imperative that those nations with the political will to support the people of Myanmar take coordinated action immediately to end the carnage”.

He underscored that the resolution should not become “a dead-end…followed by more international inaction”.

“It should be a wake-up call for those nations who support a people under siege”, he continued.

“It is clearly time for the creation of a working coalition of nations who are willing to stand with the people of Myanmar by providing what they need most – action”.

The UN expert agreed with the Secretary-General’s declaration last month saying that the international community had failed Myanmar.

“This failure cannot be rectified by resolutions that have no consequences”, stressed Mr. Andrews.

Instead, targeted action is needed, including coordinating sanctions, cutting off revenue that finances the junta’s military assaults, and an embargo on weapons and dual-use technology.

“What is required is the political will”, he concluded.

The military junta of Myanmar is not represented at the UN because the General Assembly’s accreditation committee has allowed the representatives of the democratically-elected government led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to continue in Myanmar’s seat.
—INDIA NEWS STREAM