UN calls for halt of weapons to Myanmar after 119 countries vote to support resolution
- The General Assembly adopted the resolution some four months after the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in a coup
- Belarus requested the resolution be put to a vote and was the only country to oppose it, while 36 abstained, including China and Russia
The United Nations General Assembly on Friday called for a stop to the flow of arms to Myanmar and urged the military to respect November election results and release political detainees, including leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The General Assembly adopted a resolution with the support of 119 countries some four months after the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in a coup. Belarus requested the text be put to a vote and was the only country to oppose it, while 36 abstained, including China and Russia.
The remaining 37 General Assembly members did not vote.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had earlier on Friday pushed the General Assembly to act, telling reporters: “We cannot live in a world where military coups become a norm. It is totally unacceptable.”
The military cited the government’s refusal to address what it said was fraud in a November election as the reason for the coup. International observers have said the ballot was fair.
An initial draft UN resolution included stronger language calling for an arms embargo on Myanmar. According to a proposal seen by Reuters last month, nine Southeast Asian countries wanted that language removed.
The compromise text “calls on all member states to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar”.
General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding but carry political weight. Unlike the 15-member Security Council, no country has veto power in the General Assembly.