Guterres, Ban Ki-moon urge action on Myanmar

Secretary-General António Guterres Monday called for leaders in Asia to bolster efforts towards finding a peaceful solution to the urgent crisis in Myanmar, sparked by the military coup in February.

Speaking during a Security Council meeting on cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations, he highlighted the relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), underlining the bloc's important role in diplomacy, conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Guterres said, "today, ASEAN's role is more crucial than ever as the region faces an urgent crisis in Myanmar. I have repeatedly called on the international community to work, collectively and through bilateral channels, to help bring an end to the violence and the repression by the military."

In this regard, UN cooperation with ASEAN is "vital," the Secretary-General said, as the situation "requires a robust international response grounded on a unified regional effort."

He urged regional actors "to leverage their influence to prevent further deterioration and, ultimately, find a peaceful way out of this catastrophe."

Guterres told ambassadors that his Special Envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, is in the region and stands ready to resume dialogue with the military and others.

In his address to the Council, former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said "both the United Nations and its regional partners now have a fleeting window to cooperate through strong action to halt the ongoing atrocities in Myanmar and prevent a further escalation of violence."

Ban condemned "the brutal use of lethal force against civilians, and the detention of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, as well as thousands of protestors."

He said, "the worsening situation in Myanmar represents a pivotal moment to showcase the utility of cooperation between the UN and its regional partners in maintaining peace and security and saving human lives."

Also briefing the Council, the Chair of ASEAN, Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, said the organization has called "on all parties concerned to seek a peaceful solution and pursue constructive dialogue, reconciliation and the return to normalcy in accordance with will and interest of the people of Myanmar."

ASEAN, he said, "is ready to assist Myanmar, including through the good offices of the Chair of ASEAN and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, in a positive, peaceful, and constructive manner."

According to rights-monitoring groups, over 700 people including 50 children, have been killed by security forces since the February 1 military takeover of Myanmar.

The Council issued a Presidential Statement underscoring the importance of developing effective partnerships between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, and recognizing that regional and subregional organizations are well positioned to understand the root causes of armed conflicts owing to their knowledge of the region which can be a benefit for their efforts to influence the prevention or resolution of these conflicts.

Image: AP