In its first ever resolution on Myanmar, the UN Security Council called on the military regime in the Southeast Asian country to end the violence in the country and release all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize winner and former State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Previous resolutions on Myanmar had failed because the body could not agree on how to deal with the regime, which has been in power since the coup in early 2021.

But this time the permanent members China and Russia did not use their veto right.

They abstained, as did India.

The twelve other members voted in favor of the resolution.

Till Fähnders

Political correspondent for Southeast Asia.

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The United Kingdom introduced the draft resolution.

"The abstentions by China and Russia are a signal that even the junta's few friends have lost interest in sticking their necks out to defend their atrocities," said Louis Charbonneau, the UN director at Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The resolution is a door opener to holding Myanmar's brutal generals accountable, said his colleague Elaine Pearson, HRW's Asia director.

The passing of the resolution is a significant step on behalf of the Myanmar people.

"The resolution should bring a new scrutiny to the junta's daily atrocities," Pearson said.

Resolution without concrete action

Most organizations concerned with the human rights situation in Myanmar reacted positively to the decision.

But they also criticize the fact that the Security Council has not decided on any concrete measures with which the demands can be enforced.

These include an arms embargo, targeted sanctions against military leaders held responsible for serious human rights violations, and the involvement of the International Criminal Court.

Amnesty International called the resolution "long overdue".

She should send a message to the military in Myanmar, said Amnesty Secretary-General Agnes Callamard.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, called on the international community not only to waste words but also to act.

The regime will not be deterred from its attacks on the 54 million inhabitants of Myanmar by expressions of "deep concern".

"The content of the resolution makes it clear that the actions needed to end this crisis will not come from the Security Council," Andrews said.

Therefore, the countries that have the will should coordinate and take their own measures.

The resolution must not become a dead end followed by further inactivity.

The military seized power on February 1, 2021 and imprisoned Suu Kyi's elected government.

The mass protests were violently suppressed.

According to a prison relief organization, more than 16,500 people have been arrested and more than 2,600 killed since then.

In some regions, armed resistance groups engage in heavy fighting with the military on an almost daily basis.