New Delhi (NVI): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that he is appalled by the escalating violence in Myanmar and urged the international community to work collectively to help bring an end to the repression by the country’s military.
Guterres also noted that the killing of demonstrators, arbitrary arrests, and the reported torture of prisoners violates fundamental human rights and stands in clear defiance of calls by the Security Council for restraint, dialogue, and a return to Myanmar’s democratic path.
He urged the international community to work collectively and bilaterally to help bring an end to the repression by Myanmar’s military, according to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the UN chief.
“He called on the military to allow a visit by his Special Envoy as an important element in calming down the situation and setting the stage for dialogue and return to democracy,” the statement added.
Guterres said he will continue to stand with the people of Myanmar and their democratic aspirations.
Myanmar’s military toppled the country’s government on February 1, 2021, and seized power for one year, detaining top political figures, including de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint.
Around 2,000 people have been arrested and at least 60 protesters have been killed since the military takeover.
Dozens of people lost their lives, including around 50 on Sunday alone, according to a UN News article.
The UN Country Team (UNCT) in Myanmar also denounced the violence, calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.
“Another tragic day for Myanmar with reports of numerous people killed in Mandalay and elsewhere by security forces”, the Country Team said in a tweet earlier on Saturday.
“The UN has made clear that such violence is unacceptable and those responsible should be held to account.”
-CHK
