On March 31, 2021, U.N. Special Envoy on Myanmar, Ms. Schraner Burgener, called upon the U.N. Security Council to “consider all available tools to take collective action and do what is right, what the people of Myanmar deserve and prevent a multi-dimensional catastrophe in the heart of Asia.” She stressed that “the ground situation will only worsen,” meaning “a bloodbath is imminent.”
This screengrab provided via AFPTV video footage taken on April 1, 2021, shows protesters, wearing ... [+]
This highly concerning warning is supported by data. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), total number of people killed stands at 550 since February 1, 2021, with at least 46 children. The youngest victims is a seven year-old girl, Khin Myo Chit. In addition, more than 2,750 people have been detained, including 38 sentenced. The AAPP further reports attacks and looting in villages and central Gant Gaw town in Magwe Region. “The perpetrators looted kitchen knives, money, mobile phones and jewelry. Over ten thousand residents hence fled into the forest. Number of villagers fleeing homes across Burma is rapidly increasing.” They further warn that on April 1, 2021, “junta forces ordered internet providers to shut down all wireless broadband services until further notice. Alongside the 47 nightly internet cut and 18 days of a mobile data shutdown. As a result, only a small percentage of individuals can access the internet in Burma. These oppressive measures intend to even further disrupt internal communication and silence the voice of the people.” The timing of the internet shutdown should not be seen as a coincidence. The atrocities are likely to continue when Myanmar is in the “dark.”
Despite the raging atrocities, a recently proposed press statement from the U.N. Security Council was not issued. This is as China asked for additional time to consider its contents. Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, expressed his hope that “Myanmar will restore peace, stability and constitutional order as early as possible and continue to steadily advance democratic transition.” The current situation suggests that this hope is, at least, naive. He recognized that “should Myanmar slide into protracted turbulence, it will be a disaster for Myanmar and the region as a whole.” However, his proposed solution, “on the basis of respecting Myanmar's sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and national unity, step up diplomatic efforts and encourage the parties to narrow differences so as to find a way out” is questionable. How is this going to be achieved with military coup raging on? This call not to intervene may be self-serving, especially in light of reports that “unregistered planes have been carrying unknown goods and people between China and its conflict-ravaged neighbor Myanmar.” These reports raise questions concerning Beijing’s involvement in the situation in Myanmar. The allegations are yet to be investigated.
One cannot forget that this coup and killings follow genocidal atrocities against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The alleged perpetrator is the same: the military. The unaddressed atrocities against the Rohingyas and impunity for the crimes has led to further crime. Impunity begets further crime. As such, we must stop hoping that the situation will improve, that the crimes will stop. History should have thought us that much. Action is the only way forward and the U.N. Security Council cannot wait any longer.
