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Myanmar: AI urges arms embargo
01/10/2007 17:03 - (SA)
London - The human rights group Amnesty International urged the UN Security Council on Monday to impose an immediate arms embargo on Myanmar for its violent crackdown on pro-democracy protestors.
London-based Amnesty said China has been the main source of arms for the Myanmar security forces, followed by India, Serbia, Russia, Ukraine and other countries, and called on them in particular to stop weapons supplies.
"The UN arms embargo should cover the direct and indirect supply of military and security equipment, munitions and expertise, including transfers claimed to be 'non-lethal,'" it said, urging the UN Security Council "to impose a comprehensive mandatory arms embargo on Myanmar".
All governments should maintain the embargo until Myanmar "takes concrete independently verified steps to improve the human rights protection of all, including the release of all prisoners of conscience", it added.
Amnesty also urged all governments to "actively support" the UN process for a global Arms Trade Treaty with tough provisions.
It said the Myanmar government and its military, security and police forces of about 400 000 personnel "have a well documented record" of serious human rights violations.
The United Nations has described the abuses "as widespread and systematic", the group added.
Since September 25, Amnesty said: "Myanmar security forces have raided monasteries, used tear gas, baton charges and warning shots to disperse protestors and fired at fleeing protestors and journalists."
Amnesty added that it believes the death toll far exceeds the nine fatalities the Myanmar authorities have confirmed.
- AFP
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