Western criticism of Suu Kyi won’t help Myanmar – will China’s UN intervention?

As Beijing steps in to block resolution regarding plight of Rohingya in Rakhine, mindless Aung San Suu Kyi bashing is only serving to undermine Myanmar’s fledgling democracy

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People hold a portrait of Myanmar state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi at a prayer gathering in Yangon. Photo: EPA

Published: 1:03pm, 11 Nov 2017Updated: 1:03pm, 11 Nov 2017

Just weeks after accusing the Myanmar military of perpetrating a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing” on the country’s Muslims, the United Nations Security Council has dropped plans to adopt a legally binding resolution calling for an end to violence in Rakhine state.

The toning down of UN condemnation over an ongoing humanitarian crisis which has forced 600,000 Rohingya – more than half the Muslim population of Myanmar – to flee into neighbouring Bangladesh, came after China made it clear it would use its veto power as a permanent member of the council to block a resolution, according to diplomats.

Global criticism of Aung San Suu Kyi’s handling of the crisis has seen many call for her to be stripped of her Nobel Prize. Photo: AFP

In place of the resolution, the UN issued a statement of condemnation that made no mention of sanctions. The statement carries the same message, but less weight, than the resolution and comes as the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, prepares to visit Myanmar this month amid moves in the US Senate to impose targeted sanctions on Yangon.

Global criticism of Aung San Suu Kyi’s handling of the crisis has reached fever pitch and led to calls that she be stripped of her Nobel Peace Prize. Her alma mater, Oxford University, has also removed her picture from a common room and stripped her of its Freedom Award.

Why do China, India back Myanmar over the Rohingya crisis?

The latest moves come as Suu Kyi, the country’s de facto leader, faces a bitter struggle with the country’s all-powerful army, according to government insiders.

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