UNSC resolution on Myanmar passes – India, China, Russia abstain

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India, China, and Russia abstained from voting on a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution that called for an immediate end to violence in Myanmar and the release of political prisoners, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The resolution was passed on Wednesday with 12 votes in favor and no votes against. This marks the first time in 74 years that the UNSC has adopted a resolution on Myanmar. The only other UNSC resolution on the country, formerly known as Burma, was in 1948 when the Council recommended to the General Assembly that “the Union of Burma” be admitted to the United Nations.

India, which holds the presidency of the 15-member UNSC this month, abstained from the vote along with China and Russia. It is unclear why these three countries abstained from the vote, but their abstention may reflect their concerns about the situation in Myanmar and their desire to avoid taking a side in the conflict.

The adoption of this resolution by the UNSC comes as Myanmar faces widespread unrest and political turmoil following a military coup in February 2021. The coup, which ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, has sparked widespread protests and a crackdown by the military, leading to the deaths of hundreds of people and the detention of thousands, including many political figures and activists. The resolution calls on the military to immediately end the violence and restore the democratically elected government, as well as to release all those who have been detained or imprisoned for exercising their human rights. It also calls on the international community to support the people of Myanmar in their efforts to restore democracy and respect for human rights.