Mizzima-Nov 22
The United Kingdom’s Permanent Secretary to the United Nations has expressed support for the Myanmar people and a return to democracy in the country. On 20 November, the UK took over Presidency of the UN Security Council in New York. They convened a meeting on Myanmar – the sixth time colleagues in the Security Council have met on Myanmar this year. After the closed-door session, the UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ms Barbara Woodward, made the following remarks: Today, the UK is convening the Security Council to discuss Myanmar. We will hear from ASEAN Special Envoy (Alounkeo) Kittikhoun and UN Special Envoy (Julie) Bishop. Our focus will be on the protection of civilians. Between August and October, the military attacked Myanmar people with the highest volume of airstrikes since the coup in February 2021. They have used more improvised explosive devices, landmines and shelling in the past year than any year since the coup. We absolutely condemn this. Over a third of the country’s population now needs humanitarian aid to survive. The UN Development Program has warned that acute famine is imminent in Rakhine state. Yet the military blocks aid access while providing no basic services to the people. The suffering of the Myanmar people requires Council action now. So we will continue to press those outstanding Council members to join uThe UK continues to stand with the people of Myanmar. Read more at: https://eng.mizzima.com/2024/11/21/16519#google_vignette
