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| Myanmar Military Image Credit Reuters |
The UN independent expert on Myanmar's human rights situation warned on Tuesday that weapons exports to the country's military administration must cease.
Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews stated in a report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that these weapons had been used against innocent people.
He also called for an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council to vote on a resolution banning the business.
'Transfers shock the conscience'
"It should be self-evident that arms used to murder civilians should not be sent to Myanmar." Mr. Andrews stated in a statement that the moves "really shock the conscience."
"Blocking the junta's access to weapons is the first step to stopping their killings. Many innocent people, especially children, will suffer in Myanmar the more the world waits."
🇲🇲#Myanmar: New report reveals UN Member States #China, #Russia & #Serbia have supplied weapons used against civilians since the military coup. @RapporteurUn calls for a Security Council resolution to urgently stop weapons sales to the military junta: https://t.co/G3pHsW8Tri pic.twitter.com/kFYqFXc93P
— UN Special Procedures (@UN_SPExperts) February 22, 2022
Mr. Andrews listed China, Russia, and Serbia as countries that have sent weapons to Myanmar's military rulers since they seized power in a February coup.
Fighter jets, armored vehicles, rockets, and artillery are among the weapons.
Families are being targeted.
"The people of Myanmar are screaming only with UN to act," Mr. Andrews said. "They are allowed to an up-or-down vote on a Security Council resolution that prohibits the sale of weapons used to kill them." Too many families are killed in the crossfire of weapons of conflict supplied by the Member States. This has to stop."
The research also identifies countries that have sanctioned arms transfers to Myanmar since 2018, a period he claims was marked by widespread military atrocities against the Rohingya ethnic minority.
It also urges countries to work together to limit the junta's access to revenue.
Mr. Andrews appealed to the Security Council to act.
"I urge on UN Security Council members who are shocked by the slaughter of Myanmar civilians to bring forth a resolution to put an end to it," he said.
"Transparency is important. At the absolute least, the Security Council should consider passing a resolution prohibiting the Myanmar military from using weapons to kill innocent civilians."
The UN Human Rights Council chooses Special Rapporteurs, such as Mr. Andrews, to monitor and report on specific nation circumstances or thematic topics.
They work in their independent capacities and are neither UN employees nor paid by the Organization.
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