Myanmar alternative govt thanks UN resolution, calls for action

Bangkok, Dec 22 (EFE).- Myanmar’s alternative government, made up of politicians and activists opposed to the military junta, thanked Thursday the UN Security Council resolution calling on the immediate cessation of violence in the country, and urged that action be taken to restore democracy.

The resolution, which was reached Wednesday with 12 votes in favor and three abstentions – from China, Russia and India – also demands the military regime, which carried out a coup in February 2021, to release all political prisoners, including deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The 15 member states of the Council said they demand, in the first resolution approved by the highest decision-making body of the UN since the coup, the “immediate end of all forms of violence in the country” and call for “containment and de-escalation of tensions.”

The self-styled National Unity Government, loyal to Suu Kyi and which proclaims itself the legitimate government of Myanmar, stressed in a statement its “deep gratitude” and “support” for the resolution while urging to “implement the resolution as a step toward restoring democracy in Myanmar.”

“The resolution demonstrates the progress of the Security Council in talking about action on the serious crisis in Myanmar and the threats of the junta to international peace and stability,” the NUG said, adding that they would have liked a “stronger text.”

“Decisive action is needed by the Security Council to save the lives of the Myanmar people and prevent further destabilization of the region,” the alternative government said.

The military uprising of Feb. 1, 2021 keeps Myanmar in deep political, economic and social chaos that has exacerbated the armed conflicts that the country has suffered for decades.

At least 2,639 people have been killed since the coup in a violent crackdown by security forces, who have shot to kill peaceful and unarmed protesters, and more than 13,000 remain in detention, according to data from the Myanmar NGO Association of Assistance to Political Prisoners. EFE

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