Myanmar coup: UN calls for arms embargo against military
The UN has issued an extraordinary call for a moratorium on arms sales in Myanmar in response to a military coup this year.
The General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the military, which overthrew the country's elected government in February.
The UN has also demanded the release of political prisoners, such as elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and an end to violence against peaceful protesters.
Although there is no legal obligation, this decision is politically important.
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"The danger of a major civil war is real," Christine Schraner Burgener, a UN special envoy to Myanmar, told the General Assembly. "Time is of the essence. The chances of reversing military recruitment have been reduced."
Supported by 119 countries, only Belarus voted against it.
Thirty-six other countries have resigned, including Russia and China - suppliers of two of Myanmar's largest weapons suppliers.
Some dissenters said the problem was an internal conflict in Myanmar, while others argued that the decision did not address the brutal attacks on Rohingya militants four years ago, forcing nearly a million people to flee the country.
The EU's ambassador to the United States, Olof Skoog, said the decision "transfers military power, condemns the abuses and abuses of its people, and reflects its separation from the world".
But UN envoy to Myanmar, Kyaw Moe Tun, who represents the country's democratically elected government, said he was disappointed it took so long for the General Assembly to pass what he called a "watery" decision.
Ms Suu Kyi, 75, has been under house arrest since the coup, and little has been seen or heard about her, other than a brief court appearance.
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The military has apologized for taking power in February, accusing voters of fraud in last November's national elections.
But private election observers said the election was free and fair, and the charges against Ms Suu Kyi have been widely criticized as politically motivated.
The protests sparked protests, and Myanmar troops brutally attacked anti-democratic protesters, activists, and journalists.
The security forces have killed more than 860 people and closed about 5,000 so far, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
Last month, Human Rights Watch called on the UN General Assembly to pass a resolution calling for an arms embargo, saying "while that is not legally binding on countries, such a decision would be politically motivated".
"Governments should recognize that weapons sold to Myanmar's military may be used to torture people," the organization said. "A ban on weapons could help prevent such crimes."
The General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the military, which overthrew the country's elected government in February.
The UN has also demanded the release of political prisoners, such as elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and an end to violence against peaceful protesters.
Although there is no legal obligation, this decision is politically important.
"The danger of a major civil war is real," Christine Schraner Burgener, a UN special envoy to Myanmar, told the General Assembly. "Time is of the essence. The chances of reversing military recruitment have been reduced."
Supported by 119 countries, only Belarus voted against it.
Thirty-six other countries have resigned, including Russia and China - suppliers of two of Myanmar's largest weapons suppliers.
Some dissenters said the problem was an internal conflict in Myanmar, while others argued that the decision did not address the brutal attacks on Rohingya militants four years ago, forcing nearly a million people to flee the country.
The EU's ambassador to the United States, Olof Skoog, said the decision "transfers military power, condemns the abuses and abuses of its people, and reflects its separation from the world".
But UN envoy to Myanmar, Kyaw Moe Tun, who represents the country's democratically elected government, said he was disappointed it took so long for the General Assembly to pass what he called a "watery" decision.
Ms Suu Kyi, 75, has been under house arrest since the coup, and little has been seen or heard about her, other than a brief court appearance.
The military has apologized for taking power in February, accusing voters of fraud in last November's national elections.
But private election observers said the election was free and fair, and the charges against Ms Suu Kyi have been widely criticized as politically motivated.
The protests sparked protests, and Myanmar troops brutally attacked anti-democratic protesters, activists, and journalists.
The security forces have killed more than 860 people and closed about 5,000 so far, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
Last month, Human Rights Watch called on the UN General Assembly to pass a resolution calling for an arms embargo, saying "while that is not legally binding on countries, such a decision would be politically motivated".
"Governments should recognize that weapons sold to Myanmar's military may be used to torture people," the organization said. "A ban on weapons could help prevent such crimes."
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