UN Myanmar expert urges coup leader to 'halt violence'

By Peter Kenny

GENEVA (AA) – The UN's chief expert on Myanmar said Tuesday he called on Myanmar's coup leader to stand by an assurance to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for an "immediate cessation of violence."

Thomas Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, sent an open letter to Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, noting that on April 24, Min participated in an ASEAN leaders' meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The meeting was convened to address "the catastrophic developments" in Myanmar since the Feb. 1 coup.

"You reportedly agreed, through a consensus document released at the conclusion of the meeting to an 'immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar'," said Andrews.

"This is an imperative first step toward ending a crisis that has already cost more than 750 lives, including the lives of young children, at the hands of Myanmar's security forces."

He said that the people of Myanmar, who have protested peacefully across the country for the restoration of democracy, "need and deserve" to know that the general intends to honor this commitment.

- 'Public commitment'

"I write to seek your public commitment that you will honor the fundamental right of the people of Myanmar to freely express their views, including opposition to your actions, without fear of injury, death, or arbitrary arrest," said the UN expert.

He noted that it is a "matter of grave importance" and that for those who believe that they may now freely exercise such a fundamental human right without fear of attack by forces under your command, "this is literally a matter of life or death."

Andrews further requested that the general act on the appeals made by ASEAN leaders, including Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, "for you to promptly and unconditionally release all political prisoners" detained since the coup.

Andrews also requested the coup leader to immediately accept a visit from the special envoy of the ASEAN chair and allow the special envoy access to "all parties concerned," including ousted Myanmar President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.