Burma: UN condemns violence, China calls for “de-escalation”

On the Burmese case, China is also toughening its tone. Beijing believes that “now is the time to de-escalate” in Burma and that “it is time for dialogue”, said Wednesday, March 10, Chinese Ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun, after the approval by the Security Council of a declaration condemning the military junta for the first time.

“The time has come for diplomacy”, he also underlined in a statement, affirming that “China had participated in the negotiations” organized for six days by the United Kingdom within the Security Council for this statement “in a constructive manner”. “It is important that Council members speak with one voice. We hope that the Council’s message will be such as to improve the situation in Burma, ”insisted the Chinese diplomat. “The international community should create an enabling environment for the parties concerned in Burma to settle disputes within the constitutional and legal framework,” Zhang Jun also argued.

Security Council “strongly condemns violence”

“To this end, we support the diplomatic and mediation efforts of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Special Envoy of the Secretary General” of the UN, the Swiss Christine Schraner Burgener, said the diplomat. “China’s policy of friendship with Burma is for all the people of Burma. China is ready to engage and communicate with the parties concerned, and to play a constructive role in alleviating the current situation, ”the Chinese ambassador said.

In its declaration, adopted unanimously by the 15 members, and therefore also by China and Russia, traditional allies of the Burmese generals, the Security Council “strongly condemned the violence against peaceful demonstrators, including women and young people. , and children ”in Burma. He also expressed “deep concern at the restrictions imposed on medical personnel, civil society, union members, journalists and media professionals”. The executive body of the United Nations has also attacked the army in an unprecedented way, which it calls on “to show the greatest restraint”.

The junta continues the repression

The Council calls on the parties to “seek a peaceful solution” to the crisis caused by the coup d’état of February 1, in this text drafted by the United Kingdom, the former colonial power, and obtained by Agence France- Hurry. He also calls for “the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained”, without however mentioning the possibility of international sanctions.

The United States also intervened, instituting sanctions against two adult children of the leader of the seized power junta, Min Aung Hlaing. Aung Pyae Sone and Khin Thiri Thet Mon have interests in companies that have directly benefited “from their father’s position and his nefarious influence,” the US Treasury Department said in a statement.

Taking advantage of the procrastination of the international community, which has struggled to find a common position in recent days, the junta for its part continued the repression. Police and soldiers were thus deployed in large numbers on Wednesday around the compound where railway personnel reside at Ma Hlwa Gone station, in eastern Yangon, the economic capital.


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