UN rights chief calls on world to keep pressure on Burmese junta

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GENEVA (AP) – The UN human rights chief on Tuesday praised the “incredible resilience” of the Burmese people to help each other in the wake of a military takeover and violent repression, while calling for the international community to keep up the pressure to end violence and restore democracy.

Michelle Bachelet said the rights situation in Myanmar has turned from a political crisis to a “multidimensional human rights catastrophe,” noting that nearly 900 people have been killed and 200,000 forced to flee their homes due to military raids. She noted that the World Food Program has estimated that more than 6 million people are in urgent need of food assistance.

The comments came during a Human Rights Council debate that prompted a series of statements from countries denouncing violence, calling for the release of political prisoners and calling for a return to democracy, aid delivery and the rule of law, among others.

“People across the country continue to demonstrate peacefully despite the massive use of lethal force against them, including heavy weapons. A movement of civil disobedience has paralyzed many government structures controlled by the military, ”Bachelet said. “At the same time, the people of Myanmar have shown incredible resilience by organizing systems of mutual solidarity and support.

“It is incumbent on the international community to stand united in putting pressure on the military to stop its relentless attacks against the people of Myanmar and return the country to democracy, reflecting the clear will of the people,” Bachelet said.

From the start of the council session last week, Myanmar was involved: several countries, including China, Venezuela and the Philippines, insisted that the junta that toppled the civilian government in February be represented in the debate. of 47 members.

But Myanmar has not been represented on the Human Rights Council in Geneva since the ambassador’s departure from the civilian government after the junta took power. The United Nations General Assembly’s credentials committee is faced with a decision on which Myanmar representation will be recognized, so for now it has no say in the council.

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