The first in 74 years... a Security Council resolution calling for an end to violence in Myanmar

The Security Council demanded the release of all prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

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The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution on Myanmar, the first in 74 years, calling for an end to the violence and urging the military council to release all political prisoners, including ousted Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi.

Britain's ambassador to the United Nations, Barbara Woodward, said after voting yesterday evening on the draft resolution, which was drafted by her country, "Today we sent a firm message to the army, they should not be in doubt about it.

We expect this decision to be fully implemented.”

"We have also sent a clear message to the people of Myanmar that we seek progress in line with their rights, desires and interests," she told the council.

The 15-member council has long been divided over how to handle the Myanmar crisis, with China and Russia opposed to strong action.

Both countries, along with India, abstained from the vote on Wednesday.

The remaining members agreed with the decision.

China's ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, told the council after the vote that "China still has concerns... There is no quick solution to this issue... Whether it can be properly resolved in the end mainly depends on and only Myanmar itself."

He added that China wanted the Security Council to issue an official statement on Myanmar, not a resolution.

Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, said that Moscow does not consider the situation in Myanmar a threat to international peace and security, and therefore believes that it should not be dealt with by the UN Security Council.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken welcomed the adoption of the resolution.

"It is an important step by the Security Council to address the crisis and end Burma's (Myanmar) military regime's increasing repression and violence against civilians," he said in a statement.

The resolution that was adopted expressed "deep concern" about the ongoing state of emergency imposed by the army after seizing power, and its "dangerous impact" on the people of Myanmar.

The resolution urges "concrete and immediate measures" to implement a peace plan approved by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and calls for "supporting democratic institutions and processes, and pursuing constructive dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people."

Suu Kyi, 77, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been in solitary confinement in a prison in the capital, Naypyidaw, since June, after being placed under house arrest following the military coup.

The only other resolution adopted by the Security Council with regard to the Asian country was in 1948 when it recommended to the United Nations General Assembly to accept Myanmar, (then Burma), as a member of the international organization.

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