Ban Ki-moon "Myanmar Military Refuses Visit... UN Secretary-General Must Engage in Direct Dialogue"

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging the international community to take immediate action to resolve the bloody situation in Myanmar during an online open debate of the UN Security Council on the 19th (local time).
On the same day, Ban attended the online open debate held by the UN Security Council on the theme of "Cooperation between the UN and Regional Organizations in Maintaining International Peace and Security," briefed on the situation in Myanmar, and made these recommendations. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon revealed on the 19th (local time) that he had requested a visit to Myanmar but was denied, urging the international community to take immediate action to resolve the bloodshed in Myanmar.

Ban attended an online open debate held by the UN Security Council on the theme of 'Cooperation between the UN and Regional Organizations in Maintaining International Peace and Security' and made these remarks. Ban was involved in Myanmar's democratization during his tenure as UN Secretary-General.

Ban stated, "I recently requested a visit to Myanmar authorities to help ease tensions and find a path toward constructive dialogue, but the request was denied."

Ban defined the Myanmar military's violent crackdown on protesters as a 'crime against humanity.'

Ban criticized ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), saying, "The principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states cannot be an excuse for doing nothing in the face of serious human rights violations."

Regarding reports that Min Aung Hlaing, the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's military junta, was invited to the ASEAN summit, he urged, "ASEAN leaders must take immediate and unified action at the summit," and added, "At the very least, a high-level ASEAN delegation should agree to visit Myanmar to engage in dialogue with all relevant parties."

He advised the UN Security Council, "After the ASEAN summit, the Security Council should closely monitor the situation to take follow-up measures," and emphasized that "the principle of 'Responsibility to Protect' (R2P) must be seriously considered."

Additionally, current Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres also recommended "direct dialogue with the Myanmar military and mediation of the situation."

The debate was attended not only by representatives of Security Council member states but also by Secretary-General Guterres himself.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.