Three Years of Myanmar Military Coup, UN Secretary General: Campaign of Military Violence Must End

Clash civilians with Myanmar security forces. (Wikimedia Commons/VOA News)

JAKARTA - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that the military's campaign of violence must immediately end in Myanmar, marking the third anniversary of the country's military junta coup.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the UN Secretary-General underscored the importance of the transition to democratic governance and restoring civilian rule.

"The Secretary-General condemns all forms of violence and calls for the protection of civilians and a cession of hostility," said the statement, quoted on the UN website on February 1.

"An inclusive solution to this crisis requires conditions that enable the people of Myanmar to exercise their human rights freely and peacefully," he continued.

Myanmar's military staged a coup on February 1, 2021, alleging widespread voter fraud in the 2020 elections, in which Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won a landslide victory. The coup led to the fall of Suu Kyi's government.

In his statement, the Secretary-General condemned all forms of violence, urging an immediate cessation of hostility and political repression, as well as the protection of civilians.

More than 4,400 opponents of the coup have been killed, with more than 25,900 arrested and nearly 20,000 still in detention three years into the conflict, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) activist group, quoted by Kyodo News.

"The military's campaign of violence targeting civilians and political repression must end, and those responsible must be held accountable," the statement emphasized.

Furthermore, Secretary-General Guterres called for continued international and regional attention, and coherent collective action to support the people of Myanmar.

Secretary-General Guterres remains committed to working with all stakeholders, including ASEAN and other regional actors, to help ensure sustainable and inclusive peace there, the statement said.

On the same occasion, he also reiterated his concern regarding the military's intention to conduct elections, amidst increasing conflict and human rights violations throughout the country.

"The Secretary-General stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for an inclusive, peaceful, and just society," the statement said, adding he "stressed the need to ensure the protection of all communities, including the Rohingya, a growing number of whom risk dangerous journeys in search of safety, basic rights, and dignity."