The UN Secretary-General called on member states to send a clear message to the Myanmar military by putting pressure on the Myanmar army to show its opposition to the Myanmar coup.
According to Reuters, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today (Friday) called on 193 members of the Security Council to tell the Myanmar military that democracy must be restored, political prisoners released and human rights abuses and killings stopped.
“We cannot live in a world where military coups are becoming the norm,” Guterres told reporters. This is completely unacceptable.
Diplomats say the purpose of the General Assembly today was to call for an end to arms shipments to Myanmar and to urge the military to respect the election results and release political prisoners. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. According to diplomats, the draft will have enough support for approval if put to a vote.
“I hope the General Assembly can send a very clear message,” Guterres said.
General Assembly resolutions are not binding and have only a political burden. Unlike the 15-member Security Council, no country has the right to veto the General Assembly.
