With mounting tension and reports of use of force by the military junta coming in, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, Wednesday night dispatched his Special Envoy on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, to this troublesome South East Asian nation.
Welcoming the move, members of the Security Council urged Burma to allow him to go and visit the country and have him assess the situation there.
Noting reports of use of force and of arrests and beatings, Ban again called on authorities to exercise utmost restraint toward the peaceful demonstrations taking place, as such action can only undermine the prospects for peace, prosperity and stability in Burma.
In a statement, the Secretary-General also called on the senior leadership of Burma to cooperate fully with the mission of his Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari “in order to take advantage of the willingness of the United Nations to assist in the process of national reconciliation through dialogue.”
While the Burma's military government has not yet accepted Gambari’s mission, the UN Spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters that “he will stay in the region, and as soon as he gets the green light he will proceed.”
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour also expressed concern over the situation in Burma. He urged Burmese authorities to allow peaceful expression of dissent in the country and to abide by international human rights law in their response to the current widespread peaceful street protests.
“The use of excessive force and all forms of arbitrary detention of peaceful protesters are strictly prohibited under international law,” she said.
Noting reports of use of force and of arrests and beatings, Ban again called on authorities to exercise utmost restraint toward the peaceful demonstrations taking place, as such action can only undermine the prospects for peace, prosperity and stability in Burma.
In a statement, the Secretary-General also called on the senior leadership of Burma to cooperate fully with the mission of his Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari “in order to take advantage of the willingness of the United Nations to assist in the process of national reconciliation through dialogue.”
While the Burma's military government has not yet accepted Gambari’s mission, the UN Spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters that “he will stay in the region, and as soon as he gets the green light he will proceed.”
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour also expressed concern over the situation in Burma. He urged Burmese authorities to allow peaceful expression of dissent in the country and to abide by international human rights law in their response to the current widespread peaceful street protests.
“The use of excessive force and all forms of arbitrary detention of peaceful protesters are strictly prohibited under international law,” she said.
