A UN special envoy on Wednesday warned the 15-nation Security Council that if it did not crack down on violent military action against protesters, a “day of bloodshed” was imminent in Myanmar, according to a copy of his remarks obtained by CBS News.
“Looking back ten years from today, how will history judge this inaction?” Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Christine Schraner Berzner asked the diplomats. “I hope you can act when there is still time to avoid caution and disagreement and avoid bad consequences.”
Violence in Myanmar escalated over the weekend following the February 1 uprising by the country’s democratically elected leader. Activists say more than 100 people Killed by army security forces as the bloodiest day of the conflict between the protesters and the junta.
Schraner Bergener said in his remarks that more than 520 people have been killed since the violence began, condemning “widespread and systematic attacks on the civilian population” by military forces.
“Weak groups in need of humanitarian assistance, including already ethnic minorities and the Rohingya, will suffer the most, but inevitably, the whole country is heading towards a failed state,” he said.
“I will be open to dialogue and continue to signal this but if we just wait [the military leaders] Ready to talk, the ground conditions will only get worse. Bloodbath is imminent, ”Schreiner Bergener added.
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The Biden administration announced on Monday that it would suspend trade with Myanmar until it bypassed a democratically elected government. But as previously reported by CBS News, the generals now running the country seem unassuming – probably because of the support China has received from China and Russia.
He called on the Security Council, which includes China and Russia, to “provide a strong, unified and responsive response”, adding that “the council should consider possible significant steps that could change the situation in Myanmar.”
If the decision to suspend trade does not curb violence against civilians, the Biden administration will have to “see what we can do more in that area,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the UN ambassador to the United States, said Wednesday.
“I can’t define that for you right now, but that’s not something we’ll put aside.”
The Security Council unanimously issued a statement condemning the March 10 violence. But as the death toll continues to rise, U.S. And the UK representatives at the UN were hoping for a statement on the next steps.
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The possibility of a statement seems unlikely as the council’s closed consultation continues on Wednesday. While the council was meeting virtually, China’s UN ambassador Zhang Jun issued a statement announcing the idea of applying “unilateral pressure” to the conflict.
“Based on the international community’s respect for Myanmar’s sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and national unity, diplomatic efforts should be undertaken and the parties should be encouraged to narrow differences so that a solution can be found,” the ambassador said. “Calling for unilateral pressure and sanctions or other coercive measures will increase tensions and confrontation and complicate the situation, which is by no means constructive.”
Despite China’s statement, the call for action has increased. U.N. Special Envoy of Myanmar for Called for “immediate action” Wednesday to impose an arms embargo and refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court “to investigate and prosecute atrocities committed by the military.”
“The brutality of the army is very intense and many [Ethnic Armed Organizations] The EAO is taking a clear stance of protest, increasing the likelihood of a civil war on an unprecedented scale, ”said Schraner Bergener.
“[The people of Myanmar] “Why are Myanmar security forces allowed to continue killing the judiciary, why are military snipers firing on non-armed protesters, why can they arbitrarily detain, torture people and abduct the bodies of those killed,” he said. That’s worth knowing. “How can we explain to parents who have lost their children by haphazard shooting that these actions can continue?”
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