The special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar* declared this Thursday that the resolution adopted yesterday by the Security Council of the UN regarding the situation in that Southeast Asian country not “energetic enough” and affirmed that if there is no “strong and orchestrated” action by the international community, the massacre that has taken place since the army took power almost two years ago will be even greater.
In a statement, Thomas Andrews acknowledged the effort of the UN’s highest security body, stressing that it avoided a veto, but insisted that the resolution falls short.
“Require that certain actions be taken without any use of the authority of Chapter VII of the Security Council, will not stop Myanmar’s illegal junta from attacking and destroying the lives of the 54 million people held hostage in Myanmar”, warned the expert, stressing that tangible actions are needed.
The resolution – the first to deal with the situation in Myanmar since the coup – expresses deep concern about the state of emergency maintained since the beginning of the military regime and the serious impact it has on the Burmese people.
It also calls for concrete and immediate measures to implement the peace plan which was agreed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and calls for defending democratic institutions and processes.
Divisions in the Council
The Security Council has long been divided on how to deal with the crisis in Myanamar. China and Russia speak out against strong action and, along with India, abstained in Wednesday’s vote. The other twelve members voted in favor of the resolution.
After the vote, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun said his country preferred the Council to adopt a formal statement on Myanmar, not a resolution. The Russian ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, for his part, pointed out that Moscow does not view the situation in Myanmar as a threat to international peace and securityTherefore, it does not believe that it should be dealt with by the adjudicative body.
The special rapporteur explained that “the serious and systematic violations of human rights, which constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, and which are committed daily by the illegal military junta against the people of Myanmar require vigorous and coordinated by UN member states”.
Accountability and Punitive Measures
Andrews noted that the resolution’s demands, which include an immediate cessation of all forms of violence, the release of political prisoners, unimpeded humanitarian access and respect for the rights of women and children, are of “important criticism”; however, she added that the imposition of sanctions and accountability is necessary for those who do not comply and for the military who have committed crimes.
He stated that he agrees with the assertion of Norway, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Iceland and Mexico, in the sense that the language of the resolution should have been stronger.
The resolution makes it clear, however, that the action required to end the crisis would not come from the Council of Security, emphasized the expert.
Political will
“Therefore, it is imperative that nations with the political will to support the people of Myanmar immediately take coordinated action to end the carnage,” he added.
The rapporteur requested that the resolution does not become a “dead end”…followed by more international inaction.”
On the contrary, he added, “it should be a wake-up call for those nations that support a besieged people. It is time to build a coalition of nations that are willing to support the people of Myanmar by giving them what they need most: action.”
The expert supported the statement made by the General secretary António Guterres last month, who said that the international community had failed Myanmar.
“This failure cannot be remedied by resolutions that have no consequencesAndrews pointed out.
He reiterated that specific action is needed, including the coordination of sanctions, the cut in revenues that finance the junta’s military attacks and an arms embargo and dual-use technology.
“What is required is political will.” Andrews concluded.
* The special rapporteurs and independent experts are part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN human rights system, is the general name for the independent investigative and monitoring mechanisms established by the Council to address specific country situations or thematic issues around the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN personnel.
