For the first time, the Security Council opened its doors to discuss Myanmar issues

The United Nations Security Council discussed Myanmar behind closed doors after the military coup in 2021. Last April 4, the first open door meeting was held.

At this meeting, the Director of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Lisa Dockton, presented a humanitarian crisis due to the worsening situation in Myanmar.

"In addition to the worsening situation in Myanmar, including the worst-level terrorist attacks since 2021, it has also affected the entire country. It also affects neighboring countries. The humanitarian situation in Myanmar is dire and alarming. Especially after the recent implementation of the military service law, the people of Myanmar are living in fear every day. Burmese people are struggling to get the things they need in their daily lives.”

This year, there are 18.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance across Myanmar, which is a 19-fold increase from February 2021 when the military seized power. There are 2.8 million war refugees. 90 percent said that it happened after the military coup. There is an urgent need for food and protection for war victims. Hunger is also increasing throughout the country. He also said that 12.9 million people, which is nearly 25 percent of Myanmar's population, are facing food shortages.

"Regarding Myanmar, the Security Council should take action. There are calls from some member states to impose sanctions. China opposes such methods."

In addition, there is an increase in nutritional deficiencies among children and pregnant women. The health care system is in disarray and there are drug shortages. Because they can no longer carry out regular vaccination procedures, children may develop health disorders that will not affect them for life. In the education sector, about 12 million people are affected, and one-third of all school-age children are unable to attend school. In 2023, the percentage of injuries caused by landmines in Myanmar increased to 270; Children are the most likely to be affected by landmines. Lisa Dockton says women and girls are more affected by Myanmar's conflict, with 9.7 million women and girls in urgent need of assistance and at increased risk of human trafficking and sexual violence.

He called on the Security Council to continue to push for the release of all aid workers who have been detained and to allow unimpeded access to humanitarian aid in Myanmar.

The Japanese ambassador expressed his disappointment at the UN Security Council's silence on the Myanmar issue.

"It is disappointing and regrettable that the Security Council is not allowed to express the position of the Burmese people being subjected to such inhuman acts. It should also be recorded that the Security Council has not been able to issue any statement for 15 months on the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. The Security Council's silence is making the violations in Myanmar worse. We need to represent the voice of the people of Burma, which is the desire of the people of Burma to return to peace and democracy."

Japan to stop terrorist attacks, including aerial attacks in Myanmar. They have repeatedly asked the Myanmar military to release the detainees, including State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to return to the democratic system, but they have not complied. Japan expressed its objection to the fact that the Burmese military has repeatedly extended martial law without resolving the issue in a peaceful way, and has continued to carry out airstrikes and cause death and injury to innocent people.

"The Security Council needs to do more to ensure security, peace and development in Myanmar and the region."

The Russian ambassador said that the source of the current problems in Myanmar is because it was exploited as a colony by Western countries in the past, and the current problems in Rakhine State are due to the divide and conquer policy of the British colonial government.

The Russian ambassador also criticized the fact that the Security Council's discussions on Myanmar issues were held as an open-door meeting.

"The United Nations Security Council's resolution No. 2669 expressing concern about the events in Myanmar and the deteriorating situation in Myanmar over the past five months do not meet the requirements for holding such a Security Council meeting. The current situation in Myanmar does not pose a threat to international peace and security. I am against using this Security Council meeting to put pressure on Nay Pyi Taw. I also condemn the fact that representatives of Western countries are portraying the situation in Myanmar for political purposes."

The US representative said that the situation in Myanmar is an increasing threat to international security, including the Indo-Pacific region. He urged the Security Council to respond.

"The Security Council adopted Resolution No. 2669 in 2022 as the first step to improve the situation of the people of Burma. However, the Burmese military violated this decision and the common agreements agreed with ASEAN. It has led to an increase in terrorist attacks against the people of Burma. Due to this violation, security in Myanmar and the region The Security Council needs to do more to achieve peace and development."

The Chinese ambassador said that there has been a resurgence of attacks in Rakhine state in Myanmar. Since the Rakhine State issue is an internal issue of Myanmar, the international community has to respect the sovereignty of Myanmar. territorial sovereignty, respect for freedom and unity; He talked about encouraging an impartial view.

China has said that it does not support requests to take action from the Security Council against Myanmar.

"Regarding Myanmar, the Security Council should take action. There are calls from some member states to impose sanctions. China opposes such methods. Doing so will only exacerbate the animosity and confrontation.”

United Nations Middle East Under-Secretary-General for Asia and the Pacific Kalis Khyari said that the Burmese military's ability to stop terrorist attacks and political repression is a very important step. To stop the airstrikes of the Burmese army. Security Council member countries discussed the security situation of the Rohingya in Rakhine State and humanitarian assistance for Myanmar. The Security Council is likely to make a decision on the Myanmar issue soon.