One year after the military coup in Myanmar, the army is clinging to power and democratically elected leaders face lengthy prison sentences, as the people continue to resist the seizure of power. VOA U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer has more.
Myanmar has been mired in chaos and violence since the military rejected the November 2020 election results and overthrew the civilian government on February 1st of last year.
Rights groups say some 1,500 civilians, including dozens of children, have been killed, and thousands more arrested in the military crackdown on protesters.
It has not, however, lessened the people’s resolve to demand a return to democracy.
Tom Andrews is the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Myanmar:
“I'm in awe of the people of Myanmar, and I'm certain that, or as certain as I can be, that this has surprised Min Aung Hlaing and the military junta, who I think thought they could get away with this. And they're finding that they just were not bargaining for the kind of the level of commitment of the people of Myanmar to saving their country.”
The military has arrested, tried and sentenced de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and other high-ranking officials from the National League for Democracy Party.
Military chief General Min Aung Hlaing went to Indonesia in April for a summit of regional bloc ASEAN, where he agreed to implement a five-point plan that included ending the violence and starting a national dialogue. It's a pledge he has not kept.
At the U.N. Security Council, there has been a lack of action. Veto holders China and Russia do not want to see sanctions or an arms embargo on Myanmar’s military, and a fear by other members of worsening existing council divisions has blocked meaningful action.
Louis Charbonneau is the U.N. Director for Human Rights Watch:
“Frankly, what the Myanmar military has gotten from the Security Council is a green light. They know that they will get away with murder because countries aren't even going to try. They've given up.”
With no council action, on June 18, the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution essentially urging an arms embargo. But their resolutions are not legally binding.
Richard Gowan is the U.N. Director for the International Crisis Group:
“Well, I think that international institutions, including the U.N. and ASEAN, are stuck and there is no obvious pathway for the Security Council or any other international body to put enough pressure on the military to reverse the coup.”
Without an international arms embargo or targeted economic sanctions to pressure the generals, Myanmar’s people have begun to fight back.
Zin Mar Aung is the foreign minister for Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government:
"People are resisting to eliminate the military dictatorship by every possible means. Armed struggle is just one of the many ways to resist.”
Violence has grown elsewhere across Myanmar between the military and ethnic armed groups, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.
U.N. Special Rapporteur Tom Andrew:
“The junta has declared war on the people of Myanmar. They are identifying those who live in Myanmar in these villages as the enemy, and so therefore, they feel they have license to attack them, to kill them, to torture them. So, the extent of the human rights violations, the degree of the human rights violations, is just horrific. And I’m afraid it’s not getting better, it’s getting worse.”
Analysts say the prospect for quick resolution of the crisis is unlikely.
International Crisis Group’s Richard Gowan:
“I think that for the time being, we sadly feel that we're going to see violence rumble on, and that even if it's contained, the chances of a political settlement are low.”
Originally published at - [ Ссылка ]
» Subscribe to VOA News: [ Ссылка ]
» Watch more VOA News video: [ Ссылка ]
Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, providing news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 236.8 million people. VOA produces content for digital, television, and radio platforms. It is easily accessed via your mobile phone and on social media. It is also distributed by satellite, cable, FM and MW, and is carried on a network of approximately 3,000 affiliate stations.
Since its creation in 1942, Voice of America has been committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the news and telling audiences the truth. Through World War II, the Cold War, the fight against global terrorism, and the struggle for freedom around the globe today, VOA exemplifies the principles of a free press.Connect with VOA News:
» VISIT OUR WEBSITE: [ Ссылка ]
» LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: [ Ссылка ]
» FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: [ Ссылка ]
» FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: [ Ссылка ]
