BURMA: UN envoy describes Burma ‘abuse’
Posted by warvictims on October 5, 2007
UN envoy describes Burma ‘abuse’
BBC NEWS
The UN’s envoy to Burma has voiced concern about arbitrary arrests and rights abuses he says are continuing following widespread protests.
Ibrahim Gambari warned Burma’s military rulers their actions could have “serious international repercussions”.
He was briefing the UN Security Council after a four-day visit to Burma, where he met senior generals and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
At least 10 people were killed in the crackdown after last week’s protests.
Mr Gambari said he feared the real death toll could be much higher.
‘Abhorrent’ actions
He said there was great concern over reports of night-time raids, arbitrary arrests, mass relocations and beatings “being committed by security and non-uniformed elements”.
“To delay the prospect of a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Myanmar [the official name for Burma] is to deny to those who deserve it the most – the people of Myanmar,” he said.
“They have suffered too much for too long.”
Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the Burmese authorities’ use of force on peaceful protesters was “abhorrent and unacceptable”.
Meanwhile, Burmese state TV broadcast an image of Ms Suu Kyi for the first time in years on Friday.
Earlier reports suggested that General Than Shwe, the head of the ruling junta, had agreed in principle to meet the detained pro-democracy leader.
Mr Gambari said he was “cautiously encouraged” by the news and called for “maximum flexibility” from both sides.
Buddhist monks became the focal point of the protests, which continued for two weeks until they were brutally suppressed.
Burmese officials on Friday said that more than 500 monks had been detained during the crackdown. But they added all but 109 were subsequently freed.
BBC sources in Burma say as many as 10,000 people – many of them monks – had been rounded up for interrogation following the protests.
