UN unanimously calls for reversal of Myanmar coup and condemns violence

The Chinese ambassador to the UN called for a “de-escalation” in the crisis in Myanmar, where the junta has pursued a violent crackdown against peaceful anti-coup demonstrators.

“Now it’s time for de-escalation. It’s time for diplomacy. It’s time for dialogue,” said Zhang Jun, after the UN Security Council agreed to condemn Myanmar’s military over its actions since ousting civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi last month.

The UN Security Council unanimously called for a reversal of the military coup, strongly condemning the violence against peaceful protesters and calling for “utmost restraint” by the military.

A presidential statement approved by all 15 council members including Myanmar’s neighbor and friend China was formally adopted at a very brief virtual meeting where US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the current council president, announced that the statement had been agreed, according to The Associated Press.

A presidential statement is a step below a resolution but becomes part of the official record of the UN’s most powerful body.

The British-drafted statement calls for the immediate release of government leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint who have been detained since their ouster in the Feb. 1 military coup.

It supports the country’s democratic transition and “stresses the need to uphold democratic institutions and processes, refrain from violence, fully respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and uphold the rule of law.”