Photo courtesy: Zin Mar Myint @ZinMarM02952459|Twitter*
Yangon/New York: The military junta, which usurped power after a February 1 coup, has deployed additional armoured vehicles to major cities, put restrictions on the internet and communication services in Myanmar. There are reports of violence, intimidation and harassment by security personnel, while arrests of political leaders, government officials, civil society actors and media representatives continued.
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In New York, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has proposed that his Special Representative Christine Schraner Burgener visit Myanmar “under agreeable conditions and to assess the situation first hand”.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, told journalists today that they were in touch with the Myanmar authorities on that. “When… regarding that, in her discussions with the Deputy Commander‑in‑Chief Soe Win, one of the things Ms. Schraner Burgener was trying to talk about is how she can have the appropriate conditions for her visit, so she is continuing to discuss that. But we don’t have any travel by her to announce to the country just yet.,” Haq said.
Haq informed that Burgener was in contact with a number of senior Member State officials, including in the region and was trying to “mobilise the influence we have over reversing the military’s actions and fully respecting human rights and civilian protection”.
Burgener spoke again today morning with Myanmar’s Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Soe Win, to amplify the Secretary-General’s statement overnight and to again press for a visit under agreeable conditions. In her discussions with Soe Win, she warned the military leadership that network blackouts undermine core democratic principles and that they’ll hurt key sectors, including banking, and heighten domestic tensions.
She stressed to the military that democratic institutions and processes needed to be upheld and that it must refrain from violence and fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. In her advocacy, Burgener also reinforced that the right of peaceful assembly must fully be respected and that demonstrators are not subjected to reprisals. She conveyed to the Myanmar military that the world was watching closely, and any form of heavy-handed response was likely to have severe consequences.
“And, so, we’ve made our concerns about this very clear,” Haq said, and added: “The Special Envoy will maintain this channel for frank and open dialogue so long as she assesses that it provides space for reversing the current situation and upholding the will of the people of Myanmar.”
It may be recalled that Burgener had a virtual meeting with Soe Win, on February 5 too, when she had conveyed to him the UN’s strong condemnation of the military’s action that disrupted the democratic reforms that were taking place in the country.
Also read: UN envoy contacts a top Myanmar general; condemns the coup and asks for release of leaders
Mounting pressure on Myanmar’s military rulers, UN Secretary-General Guterres meanwhile also issued a statement on February 14, saying he was deeply concerned about the situation in the country. He called on Member States collectively and bilaterally to exercise influence regarding the protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Myanmar. He further reaffirmed the unwavering support of the United Nations to the people of Myanmar in their pursuit of democracy, peace, human rights and the rule of law.
– global bihari bureau
*Photos updated till 8.49 am (IST) on February 16, 2021
