(Credit:  Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) UN Special Envoy For Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener at press briefing after closed Security Council meeting on crisis  at  UN world headquarters in New York City June 18, 2021.

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –   NEW  YORK  –  The UN Special Envoy for Myanmar said on Friday she has called for timely action from the Security Council in response to the ongoing crisis in the Southeast Asian country stemming from the military coup in February.  Some 600 people have been killed in the nearly five months since the coup, she said, and 6,000 arrested, with 5,000 still in detention.  Around 100 people have “disappeared” without trace.  UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener described the situation a s “very worrisome” and “very bad”. The crisis has uprooted some 175,000 people, which has added to internal displacement that existed before the military seized power and detained political leaders, including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Roughly 10,000 refugees have fled to India and Thailand. 

“I asked the Security Council for timely support and action; that it’s really paramount. We have an alarming situation on the ground for all civilian people because the health system collapsed completely, and food security is also in danger.” 

-UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener

DIPLMATIC TIMES VIDEO  – UN Special Envoy For Myanmar Urges Security Council To Take Timely Action on Crisis at UN world headquarters New York, NY  June 18, 2021.

(Credit:  Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) UN Special Envoy For Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener  at press briefing after closed Security Council meeting on crisis  at  UN world headquarters in New York City June 18, 2021.

Schraner Burgener warned that around half the population could be living below the poverty line next year if the situation continues.  “I urged the Council to speak in unity and especially against violence, and also that the political prisoners will be released as quickly as possible,” she said.

(Credit:  Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) UN Special Envoy For Myanmar at press briefing after closed Security Council meeting on crisis  at  UN world headquarters in New York City June 18, 2021.

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in  on Friday which condemns the military’s use of lethal force and violence, and supports the efforts by the Special Envoy and regional bloc ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.   UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir said countries have borne witness to the deteriorating situation in Myanmar.

“From the collapse of civilian rule, to arbitrary arrests, and indiscriminate attacks against civilians by the military, Myanmar is not a safe place for the people whom we have pledged to serve,” he said.  “As a result of the deteriorating political situation, humanitarian needs are growing.”