The Former UN Secretary General Asks Antonio Guterres And ASEAN To Take Concrete Action On The Myanmar Coup

Myanmar military anti-coup protests. (Twitter / @ David_Khaing_)

JAKARTA - Former Secretary-General of UN Ban Ki-moon, urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to communicate directly with the Myanmar military, to prevent the violence from continuing.

Also, Ban asked Southeast Asian countries that are members of ASEAN not to ignore the situation and not to see it as an internal problem for Myanmar.

Not only that, but Ban also urged the UN Security Council to move from statements to collective action. However, this will be opposed by Russia and China as Myanmar's friends.

"Given the gravity and urgency of the situation, I believe the secretary-general himself must use his good services to engage directly with the Myanmar military, to prevent an escalation of violence", Ban told a UN Security Council meeting, as reported by Reuters Tuesday, April 20.

Regarding ASEAN, Ban asked countries in the region to have the same response to the situation. Besides, Ban asked ASEAN to stop using the 'no interference' policy regarding the domestic affairs of sovereign countries.

"ASEAN must explain to the Myanmar military that the current situation is so dire that it cannot be considered merely an internal problem", continued Ban, who is now a member of the group of global leaders The Elders.

ASEAN is currently continuing to seek solutions to the problems that have occurred in Myanmar. The plan is for the ASEAN Summit to be held on April 24 in Indonesia.

According to the Political Prisoners Assistance Association (AAPP) activist group, 737 people have been killed by Myanmar's military regime forces and 3,229 people are still being held since the February 1 coup.

"The use of lethal force by the military and gross human rights violations committed against civilians is inconsistent with the ASEAN Charter", Ban said.

"This action is clearly a violation of international law, and is a threat to regional peace, security, and stability", he concluded.

Regarding Myanmar, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the UN Security Council on Monday, April 19 a strong international response was needed based on concerted regional efforts. Guterres also urged 'regional actors to increase their influence, to prevent further damage, to find a peaceful way out of this problem.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news surrounding the Myanmar military coup by tapping on this link.