UN calls emergency summit on deepening human rights crisis in Myanmar

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, has called for an emergency summit of the UN member states, including ASEAN, European Union, the United States and China, to head off the deepening crisis in Myanmar.

The UN special rapporteur warned that the pace and scope of the international response to the military coup in Myanmar is falling short of what is required to head off a deepening crisis, according to a statement published today.

"Conditions in Myanmar are deteriorating," Tom Andrews said, "but they will likely get much worse without an immediate robust, international response in support of those under siege.

"The international community must heed the recent call of UN Secretary-General António Guterres for a 'firm, unified international response'," Andrews said.

"To date, however, the limited sanctions imposed by the member states do not cut the junta's access to revenue that helps sustain its illegal activities, and the slow pace of diplomacy is out of step with the scale of the crisis.

"The incremental approach to sanctions has left the most lucrative business assets of the junta unscathed. It needs to be replaced by robust action that includes a diplomatic offensive designed to meet the moment," he said.

Andrews stressed that he is receiving reports indicating that the situation in Myanmar is in danger of spiraling further out of control and warned of a dramatic increase in loss of life.

"Without a focused, diplomatic solution, including the hosting of an emergency summit that brings together Myanmar's neighbours and those countries with great influence in the region, I fear the situation of human rights in Myanmar will further deteriorate as the junta increases the rate of murders, enforced disappearances and torture," he said.

It is critical, that the people of Myanmar, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) that is comprised of elected members of parliament, and opposition leaders and activists see that the international community is working towards a diplomatic solution in support of the peaceful Civil Disobedience Movement, he said.

This combined course of action — domestic peaceful resistance, sustained pressure, and international diplomatic momentum — will have a greater chance for success than taking up arms and will save untold numbers of lives, he added.