UN calls for stop to weapons flow into Myanmar, urges military to respect election results News
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UN calls for stop to weapons flow into Myanmar, urges military to respect election results

The UN General Assembly called Friday for a stop to the flow of weapons into Myanmar, as well as for Myanmar armed forces to stop violence against peaceful protesters. The assembly also called for the military to respect the November 2020 election results.

According to the UN, about 600 people have been killed and 100 have disappeared since the military coup in Myanmar. About 6,000 individuals have been arrested, and 5,000 people currently remain imprisoned. An estimated 175,000 people have been displaced by the coup. On June 11, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned of intensifying violence in Myanmar.

The UN General Assembly passed a resolution on Friday calling on member states to stop the flow of weapons into Myanmar. The resolution also condemned the military action against peaceful protestors and society and called for the immediate release of those who were arbitrarily detained. The resolution was passed by a vote of 119 to 1, and there were 36 abstentions.

During the assembly, UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir remarked: “The multiplicity of threats facing the country is staggering.” He noted that the safety of the people of Myanmar was uncertain, and that they were in “acute need of food and shelter, as well as hygiene and sanitation facilities.” He called for the immediate release of all who were arbitrarily detained, as well as for unrestricted humanitarian access into Myanmar.

UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Burgener also said Friday that she called for timely action from the Security Council. Following the adoption of the resolution, Amnesty International said that all countries must stop selling weapons to Myanmar.

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