UN barely reaches consensus, envoy ready to go to Myanmar

After discussions, the Council has not yet been able to issue a common statement on the evolving situation in Myanmar. The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy is ready to go to Myanmar as soon as he is given the go-ahead. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest has been extended until Feb. 15.

In New York, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Myanmar and the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and more than 40 others, but barely managed to reach consensus.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ position was clear: the coup was “unconstitutional” and contrary to the choice of the Burmese people at the ballot box. He called for the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees.

In the Security Council, however, the criticism was not so direct. After a day of negotiations, the 15 members have yet to agree on a common statement. Dealing with Myanmar in New York is complicated because, since 2017, China and Russia have protected Myanmar’s general officers. Meanwhile, different UN agencies have tried to get in touch with Myanmar’s military hierarchy or with those under house arrest, such as Aung San Suu Kyi. Although assisted by ASEAN, they had not yet succeeded at the Time of our French-language correspondent’s deadline. A special envoy of the UN Secretary General is ready to go to Burma as soon as the military’s approval is obtained.

Aung San Suu Kyi violates import laws?

Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained in a military coup two days ago, has now been charged with violating Myanmar’s current import laws, France24 reported on Wednesday (February 3, 2021). On Wednesday, police documents from Naypyidaw showed that officers in charge of residential surveillance found unauthorized and illegally imported handheld wireless devices in Aung San Suu Kyi’s Home. The same source said Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention had been extended until Feb. 15.