In view of the ongoing military violence in Myanmar, the UN Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener has urged the United Nations Security Council to act. Any hesitation on the part of the most powerful UN body would result in a further deterioration in the situation in the Southeast Asian country, said the Swiss diplomat at a meeting of the Security Council in New York yesterday. At the same time she warned: „A bloodbath is imminent.“
There is an unprecedented danger of civil war. The commanders-in-chief seemed determined to secure their position by force, the special envoy continued. „This council must consider drastic measures that can reverse the course of events in Myanmar.“
The Security Council has met several times in response to the excessive use of force by the military against protesters across the country. After an earlier meeting, the panel had condemned the army’s actions – but apparently this had no influence on their brutal actions.
In Myanmar, military violence reached a temporary peak over the weekend with nationwide protests with more than 100 dead. The United Nations called Saturday the “bloodiest day” since the military coup against Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1st. In total, more than 500 people have been killed, including several children and young people.
