[ad_1]
GENEVA: The United Nations human rights investigator for Myanmar on Friday urged the UN Security Council to consider imposing sanctions and arms embargoes when a UN human rights body adopted a resolution calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The United States, which imposed its own sanctions against Myanmar’s military on Thursday, took the floor at the Human Rights Council to urge other UN member states to follow suit.
Special Rapporteur Thomas Andrews cited “mounting reports and photographic evidence” that Myanmar security forces had used live ammunition against protesters since taking power nearly two weeks ago.
“Security Council resolutions dealing with similar situations have mandated sanctions, arms embargoes and travel bans, and calling for legal action in the International Criminal Court or ad hoc tribunals,” Andrews told the Council. “All of these options should be on the table.”
READ: Protesters challenge Myanmar’s junta after US imposes sanctions
READ: Protests against the coup in Myanmar resume despite bloodshed
The 47-member forum met at the request of Britain and the European Union to consider a resolution calling for the release of the ousted Myanmar leader Suu Kyi and allowing UN observers to visit. It was adopted unanimously, although envoys from Myanmar, Russia and China said they “disassociated themselves” from the resolution.
“With this resolution, we would like to send a strong signal to the people of Myanmar: the protection of their human rights is important to us,” said Austrian Ambassador Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger on behalf of the EU.
However, the language of the resolution had been softened a bit in an apparent attempt to attract naysayers.
In a letter read to the council on Friday morning, some 300 elected parliamentarians called for the UN to investigate the “serious human rights violations” they said the military had committed since their coup, including arrests.
“The military also fired at protesters, invaded the ruling party’s offices, confiscated documents, records and property,” said the letter, read by British Ambassador Julian Braithwaite.
He said a telecommunications bill that the army was preparing was aimed at restricting access to the Internet and mobile services.
READ: Putting divisions aside, Myanmar’s ethnic groups unite against the coup
READ: Biden targets Myanmar generals with sanctions and asset freeze
US Charge d’Affaires Mark Cassayre said: “We call on all Council members to join the United States and others … in promoting accountability for those responsible for the coup, including through targeted sanctions.”
China and Russia, which have close ties to the Myanmar military, said they were opposed to holding the session.
“What happened in Myanmar is essentially Myanmar’s internal affairs,” said Chen Xu, China’s ambassador.
Russian Ambassador Gennady Gatilov said: “Attempts to generate publicity about the situation in Myanmar need to cease.”
Suu Kyi’s supporters clashed with police on Friday as hundreds of thousands joined pro-democracy demonstrations across the country in defiance of the military’s call to stop the mass rallies.
More than 350 officials, activists, journalists, monks and students have been detained, according to Nada al-Nashif, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Myanmar Ambassador Myint Thu said Myanmar will continue to cooperate with the United Nations and uphold international human rights treaties, adding: “We do not want to stop the incipient democratic transition in the country.”
