The UN has called on member states “to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar” and release Aung San Suu Kyi and other imprisoned leaders, delivering a symbolic but sharp global rebuke to Min Aung Hlaing’s military junta.
The UN general assembly adopted the resolution by majority vote with 119 countries in support on Friday. Only one country — Belarus — voted against the resolution, with China, Russia and 34 other countries abstaining. China argued external pressure could aggravate the situation but has not ruled out an arms embargo in future.
The text is non-binding and its language was softened during negotiations with some of Myanmar’s regional neighbours. But diplomats and human rights groups said the effort nevertheless marked an attempt from the international community to isolate the junta at a time some countries were pursuing ties with the generals.