U.N. chief says ‘systematic repression’ crushing Myanmar democracy hopes
The Hindu
UN Sec-Gen Guterres: "Systematic repression" in Myanmar crushing hopes for democracy. US, China, regional leaders meet in Indonesia to discuss.
Hopes of a return to democracy in junta-ruled Myanmar are being crushed by “systematic repression”, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on September 7 at a summit in Indonesia with the United States, China and regional leaders.
Myanmar has been ravaged by deadly violence since a 2021 military coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, unleashing a bloody crackdown on dissent.
“Brutal violence, worsening poverty, and systematic repression are crushing hopes for a return to democracy,” Mr. Guterres said before a meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Myanmar is a member.
“The situation is untenable.”
The junta was not in attendance after being barred from attending ASEAN summits until it implements a five-point peace plan agreed two years ago.
Mr. Guterres said the crisis has “further deteriorated” in the past year and said in an earlier speech the world was witnessing an “enormous tragedy”.
Before his meeting with ASEAN leaders, he repeated a call for Myanmar’s military authorities to free detained leaders and political prisoners and return to democratic rule.
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