Myanmar faces mounting pressure on human rights at UN Security Council

Military junta began harsh crackdown on protesters following February 2021 coup

The UN Security Council urged Myanmar's military junta to release all political prisoners. AP

The UN Security Council adopted its first resolution on Myanmar in 74 years on Wednesday to demand an end to violence and urge the military junta to release all political prisoners, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar has been in crisis since the army took power from Ms Suu Kyi's elected government on February 1, 2021, detaining her and other officials and responding to pro-democracy protests and dissent with lethal force.

“Today we've sent a firm message to the military that they should be in no doubt — we expect this resolution to be implemented in full,” the UK's UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward said after the vote on the British-drafted resolution at the 15-member council.

“We've also sent a clear message to the people of Myanmar that we seek progress in line with their rights, their wishes and their interests.”

It has long been split on how to deal with the Myanmar crisis, with China and Russia arguing against strong action. They both abstained from the vote on Wednesday, along with India. The remaining 12 members voted in favour.

A demonstrator gestures near a barricade during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar. Reuters

A man carries a sandbag to erect a makeshift barricade, as security forces stage a crackdown on demonstrations by protesters against the military coup, in Mandalay. AFP

Demonstrators are seen behind barricades during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. Reuters

Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in the coastal city of Dawei. AFP

Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in the coastal city of Dawei. AFP

Residents release balloons with messages relating to "R2P", or the "Responsibility to Protect" principle that the international community is justified in taking action against a state that is deemed to have failed to protect its population from atrocities, in Yangon's Hlaing township. AFP

A resident receives medical attention after being injured during a crackdown by security forces on demonstrations by protesters against the military coup, in Mandalay. AFP

Anti-coup protesters flash three-fingered gesture, a symbol of resistance, during a rally outside their homes in downtown Yangon, Myanmar. AP Photo

A demonstrator looks on along burning debris during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. EPA

Medical volunteers carry an injured protester who was shot during a demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay. Reuters

Protesters with flags take part in a demonstration against the military coup as they ride scooters through a rural part of Launglone township in Myanmar's Dawei district. AFP

The mother of Aung Kaung Htet wails while mourning during a funeral for Aung, 15, who was killed when military junta forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters in Yangon. Getty Images

Mourners hold up the three-finger salute as they carry the coffin during the funeral of teenage protester Aung Kaung Htet in Yangon. AFP

Protesters take cover during clashes with security forces in Monywa. Reuters

Medical staff and students take part in an early morning protest against the military coup and crackdown by security forces on demonstrations in Mandalay. AFP

“China still has concerns,” China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun told the council after the vote. “There is no quick fix to the issue. Whether or not it can be properly resolved in the end, depends fundamentally, and only, on Myanmar itself.”

He said China had wanted the Security Council to adopt a formal statement on Myanmar, not a resolution.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow did not view the situation in Myanmar as a threat to international peace and security and therefore believed it should not be dealt with by the UN Security Council.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed the resolution's adoption. “This is an important step by the Security Council to address the crisis and end the Burma military regime's escalating repression and violence against civilians,” he said.

Sanctions threat lifted

Until now the council had only agreed formal statements on Myanmar, where the army also led a 2017 crackdown on Rohingya Muslims that was described by the US as genocide. Myanmar denies genocide and said it was waging a legitimate campaign against insurgents who attacked police posts.

Negotiations on the draft Security Council resolution began in September. The initial text urged an end to the transfer of arms to Myanmar and threatened sanctions, but that language has since been removed.

The adopted resolution expresses “deep concern” at the continuing state of emergency imposed by the military when it seized power and its “grave impact” on Myanmar's people.

It urges “concrete and immediate actions” to implement a peace plan agreed by the Association of South-East Asian Nations and issues a call to “uphold democratic institutions and processes and to pursue constructive dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people”.

The only other resolution adopted by the Security Council was in 1948, when the body recommended the UN General Assembly admit Myanmar — then Burma — as a member of the world body.

Myanmar's UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, who still holds the UN seat and represents Ms Suu Kyi's government, said while there were positive elements in the resolution the National Unity Government — comprised of remnants of the ousted administration — would have preferred a stronger text.

“We are clear this is only a first step,” he said. “The National Unity Government calls on the UNSC to build on this resolution to take further and stronger action to ensure the end of the military junta and its crimes.”