Mizzima
The UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Tom Andrews delivered a sobering message on the ongoing human rights crisis in Myanmar to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Thursday, saying as soon as he reports the numbers of deaths and arrests, the numbers become outdated daily.
“Those murdered were fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, husbands, and wives. They were educators, they were engineers; they were students, they were many ages, but more than half of those murdered were members of Generation Z, or young people under the age of 25,” he said.
Andrews said he had documented how the administration had “systematically destroyed legal protections, from freedom of expression, assembly and association to the right to privacy.”
“Since the coup, the Myanmar military has attacked and forcibly displaced several thousand members of ethnic nationalities from their homes,” he said.
Andrews said the Security Council’s statement Wednesday expressing deep concern about the situation was “wholly insufficient”.
“The people of Myanmar need not only words of support but supportive action,” he maintained.
The 15 countries' on the UN Security Council have unanimously backed a message for Myanmar's military coup leaders: cease attacks on pro-democracy demonstrators and show restraint.
UN diplomats, reported by CNN, that Russia, Vietnam and China balked at the use of tougher language and in one draft forced the removal of language that would have threatened further action, potentially sanctions.
CNN reported Richard Gowan, from the International Crisis Group as saying, "the mere fact that there is a statement at all is a minor miracle”.
Andrews urged the international community to take 5 actions including cutting off funds flowing to the military regime, including targeted sanctions on their businesses and Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise in particular, as the largest source of revenue for the military.
He also said the international community should take steps to ensure accountability for the crimes, through national courts using universal jurisdiction if the Security Council is unwilling to refer the matter to the International Criminal Court; deny the legitimacy of the junta as a legitimate government and to work alongside with local civil society and aid organizations to provide humanitarian assistance.
