First Since 1948 Recommendation for Burma's UN Membership
[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a resolution demanding an end to the violence by the Myanmar military junta and the release of political prisoners, including former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. This is the first UNSC resolution concerning Myanmar since the recommendation for the former Burma's UN membership in 1948, marking 74 years.
According to major foreign media on the 21st (local time), the Security Council held a meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York and passed the resolution on Myanmar with the approval of 12 member states, excluding China, Russia, and India. The Security Council began negotiations on the draft led by the UK last September.
The adopted resolution demands the Myanmar military junta immediately cease violence and release all political prisoners arbitrarily detained, including Suu Kyi. It expressed deep concern over the military's declaration of a state of emergency and urged the maintenance of democratic institutions and procedures, as well as the pursuit of constructive dialogue and reconciliation according to the will and interests of the people.
Strongly condemning the executions of civil activists in July, the resolution pointed out that "a peaceful, truthful, and inclusive process is necessary to reduce the level of violence and reach a sustainable political solution." It also demanded that the Myanmar military take "concrete and immediate actions" to implement the peace plan agreed upon by ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
Before the Security Council vote, UN spokesperson St?phane Dujarric appealed for the adoption of the resolution, stating that Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres is "extremely concerned" about the worsening human rights situation in Myanmar.
On the other hand, China and Russia, which abstained from the vote, showed differing stances on the Myanmar issue. Zhang Jun, China's ambassador to the UN, said, "China still has concerns," but added, "There is no quick way to resolve this issue." Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's ambassador to the UN, also stated that Russia does not consider the Myanmar issue a "threat to international peace and security."
Following the military coup last February, which rejected the landslide victory of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Suu Kyi, daughter of Myanmar's founding father Aung San, the military junta has charged her with various allegations including election fraud and corruption to permanently halt her political activities. Suu Kyi is currently held in solitary confinement in a prison in Naypyidaw, Myanmar's capital.
The Myanmar military court is scheduled to conduct the final hearing on the five corruption charges against Suu Kyi on the 26th and is expected to deliver the final verdict within a few days. The total sentence handed down to Suu Kyi by the court amounts to 26 years in prison.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
