UN council adopts first ever Myanmar resolution
Beijing on Wednesday abstained from voting on a United Nations Security Council resolution which called for Myanmar's junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi, and called for caution over the handling of the turmoil-ridden Southeast Asian country. It's the first ever resolution adopted by the council on the situation in Myanmar. The 15-member council has been split on the issue for decades and was previously only able to agree on formal statements about the country which has been under military rule since February 2021. The text was adopted with 12 votes in favour. Permanent members China and Russia abstained, opting not to wield vetoes following amendments to the wording. India also abstained.  Beijing's envoy to the UN, Zhang Jun, said China abstained because it had concerns about the draft resolution. "The Security Council must always act with caution," he said. "Blindly using the council to exert pressure or even threaten with sanctions will only intensify confrontation and antagonism, complicate the situation, and prolong the crisis." Zhang added there is no quick fix to the Myanmar issue, let alone any external solution. He noted neither a democratic transition nor national reconciliation can be achieved overnight as both require time, patience and pragmatism. Suu Kyi, 77, has been a prisoner since the army toppled her government almost two years ago and violently cracked down on dissent. Wednesday's resolution "urges" the junta to "immediately release all arbitrarily detained prisoners," including Suu Kyi and ex-president Win Myint. It also demands "an immediate end to all forms of violence" and asks for "all parties to respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law". The adoption marked a moment of relative Council unity in a year in which divisions have been heightened by Russia's military assault on Ukraine. "Any opportunity for the Security Council to speak with one strong, united voice on any issue and especially on Myanmar would be much welcomed," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesman said ahead of the vote. (AFP/Xinhua)______________________________
Last updated: 2022-12-22 HKT 16:00 