Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, head of the Ethics Committee of the International Olympic Committee, meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not shown) in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 15, 2018. REUTERS / Thomas Peter / Pool
Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon urged his successor on Monday to liaise directly with the Myanmar military to prevent an increase in post-coup violence, saying Southeast Asian countries are not the unrest may be dismissed as an internal issue for Myanmar.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, has communicated with the military since it deposed an elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, but the military has not allowed her to visit her.
“Given the seriousness and urgency of the situation, I believe that the Secretary-General himself should use his good offices to communicate directly with the Myanmar military in order to avoid escalation of violence,” said Ban, secretary. General from 2007 to 2016, against a UN Security Council Assembly.
Guterres is “very actively involved” with Myanmar and “has been for a long time,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, adding, “His good offices, along with his special envoy, are always available. We all want there to be an end. comes to the violence. “
Guterres told the Security Council on Monday that a “robust international response based on a united regional effort” was needed, “urging regional actors to use their influence to prevent further decline and ultimately find a peaceful way out of this disaster” .
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been trying to find a way out of the violence that drags on against its fellow Myanmar member. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing will attend an ASEAN summit in Indonesia on April 24.
“ASEAN must make it clear to the Myanmar military that the current situation is so serious that it cannot be viewed as an internal issue alone,” said Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister who is now a member of the world leader group The Elsewhere.
According to the activist group of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 737 people have been killed by security forces since the coup and 3,229 are still in custody.
“The military’s use of deadly force and gross human rights violations against civilians are incompatible with the ASEAN charter,” he said. “These actions are clear violations of international law and threaten peace, security and stability in the region.”
Ban also urged the Security Council to move beyond declarations to collective action. However, some diplomats say Russia and China are likely to avoid a more vigorous action.
Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Principles of Trust.