UN Asks Myanmar's Military Junta to Uphold Democracy

The United Nations (UN) on Monday (31/7) urged Myanmar to return to running a democratic government, after the country's military junta extended the state of emergency. Reuters reported that UN Deputy Spokesperson, Farhan Haq, told reporters on Monday (31/7/2023) that this status resulted in further delays in holding general elections. "It's clear, we continue to oppose the coup, and we want democratic rule restored in Myanmar as soon as possible," Haq said. Myanmar's military junta has extended the state of emergency for the fourth time since carrying out a coup in 2021. Since it was extended, the status remains in effect after July 31. Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council has also been discussing pending elections in the Southeast Asian country.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's government on February 1, 2021. The coup was met with rioting by the masses, who condemned the overthrow of Suu Kyi and the military's imposition of power. The junta has detained Suu Kyi and many other officials and repressed the protesters. The United Nations has warned that Myanmar has spiraled into civil war. According to the United Nations, over the past two years, more than 1.5 million people have been forced to flee. During that time, five million children in Myanmar were in dire need of humanitarian assistance. UN data shows that at least 2,890 people lost their lives at the hands of the military and its supporters. (PH)