On February 3, 2022, the United Nations Security Council has called for an immediate cessation of violence throughout Myanmar as the nation’s military coup has entered the second year. The UN has once again reaffirmed support for Myanmar’s transition to democracy and democratic institutions.
The United Nations has also called for the release of all those people who have been arbitrarily detained including Aung San Suu Kyi, whose elected government was ousted by the military coup back on February 1, 2021. A unanimous statement released by all the 15 members of the council, has expressed deep concern at the continuation of emergency imposed all over the country by military rulers about a year ago. Myanmar’s humanitarian needs have increased particularly amongst vulnerable groups such as women and children at the backdrop of the COVID pandemic.
This Tuesday marked the first anniversary of the military coup with a nationwide strike, protests all over the country, and violence that spread like wildfire in the nation. Various pro-military demonstrations were also allegedly organised by the authorities, were also held.
After the ouster of Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy Party was about to continue for the second year after winning a landslide victory in the elections, widespread non-violent protests and demonstrations followed the seizure of power by the army. The protests were dimmed down by the use of lethal force by the military, after which armed resistance throughout the nation arose.
According to the statement made by the special envoy of the United Nations for Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, on Monday, violence and brutality have only continued to intensify across the nation ever since the military took power fueling the resistance movement. All of the sides involved have now resorted to violence as their solution. In a virtual news conference, she further added that the situation in the country is getting worse and instability is increasing. Military operations such as artillery attacks and airstrikes have also led to raised concerns about the security of the civilian population.
As per the statement, 400,000 people have been displaced internally since the end of December last year. This is the number in addition to the already displaced people.
The United Nations Security Council has expressed deep concern at the recent violence in Myanmar and expressed alarms in regards to a large number of displaced people across the nation. The members of the council have also condemned attacks on infrastructure including the educational institutions and healthcare facilities. The council has called for an immediate cessation of the violence that has shaken the country to ensure security and stability across the nation.