UN resolution calls for reconciliation in Myanmar
By AFP
The UN Human
Rights Council on Monday adopted a resolution condemning human rights
violations by Myanmar’s military against the Rohingya and other
minorities, and called for a process of reconciliation.
The resolution,
brought forward by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation, was approved without a vote in the Geneva-based council.
China,
one of the 47 council members, said it could not join the consensus but
nonetheless did not insist on bringing the text to a vote.
“Unfortunately,
the humanitarian and human rights situation of Rohingya Muslims remains dire,
and therefore requires a collective call by the council
asking Myanmar to immediately halt human rights violations, and to uphold
their fundamental rights,” said Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s ambassador to
the UN in Geneva.
The
text itself calls for a “constructive and peaceful dialogue
and reconciliation, in accordance with the will and interests of the
people of Myanmar, including Rohingya Muslims and other ethnic
minorities”.
It
also voices “unequivocal support for the people of Myanmar and their
democratic aspirations and for the democratic transition in Myanmar”.
The resolution calls for
the immediate cessation of fighting and hostilities, of the targeting of
civilians and of all violations of humanitarian and rights laws.
It
voices “grave concern” at continuing reports of serious human rights violations
and abuses, including of arbitrary arrests, deaths in detention, torture, forced
labour and “the deliberate killing and maiming of children”.
Thomas
Andrews, the UN’s special rapporteur on the rights situation
in Myanmar, told the Human Rights Council last week that the military had
carried out crimes against humanity since taking control, and slammed the
international community for failing to “end this nightmare”.
He
decried the “widespread, systematic attacks against the people” since the coup
five months ago.
Myanmar has
experienced mass protests and a brutal military response since the coup.
UN Human
Rights chief Michelle Bachelet told the council last week that the situation in
the country had “evolved from a political crisis to a multi-dimensional human
rights catastrophe”.
“Suffering
and violence throughout the country are devastating prospects for sustainable
development, and raise the possibility of state failure or a broader civil
war,” she warned.
Since
the coup, nearly 900 people have been killed, while about 200,000 have been
forced to flee their homes, according to UN numbers.
Post a Comment