Head of the ethics committee of the International Olympic Committee, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not shown) at the Beijing People’s Hall, China, on 15 May 2018. REUTERS / Thomas Peter / Pool
Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged his successor to engage directly with the Myanmar army to prevent an increase in post-coup violence and said southern countries East Asia should not rule out turbulence as an internal issue for Myanmar.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ special envoy to Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, has been in contact with the army since he ousted an elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, but l ‘army did not allow him the visit.
“Given the gravity and urgency of the situation, I believe that the Secretary-General himself should use his good offices to relate directly to the Myanmar army, to prevent an escalation of violence,” Ban said. Secretary-General from 2007 to 2016. Meeting of the UN Security Council.
Guterres is “very actively” involved in Myanmar and “has been for a long time,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who added: “His good offices, along with his special envoy, are always “We all want to see an end to the violence.”
Guterres told the Security Council on Monday that a “strong international response based on a unified regional effort” was needed, urging regional actors to harness their influence to prevent further deterioration and ultimately find a way out. peaceful in this catastrophe “.
The ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been trying to find a way out of the violence that is raging against its fellow Myanmar. Board Chairman Min Aung Hlaing will attend an ASEAN summit in Indonesia on April 24th.
“ASEAN must make it clear to the Myanmar army that the current situation is so dire that it cannot be considered just an internal matter,” said Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister who is now member of the group of world leaders The Elders.
According to the activist group of the Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners, 737 people have been killed by security forces since the coup and 3,229 remain in detention.
“The army’s use of lethal force and serious human rights violations against civilians are not compatible with the ASEAN Charter,” he said. “These actions are clear violations of international law and pose a threat to the peace, security and stability of the region.”
Ban also urged the Security Council to move from statements to collective action. However, some diplomats say Russia and China are likely to prevent stronger action.
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