China, Russia and Serbia 'Supplying Arms' to Myanmar Junta: UN Expert

A UN expert on Tuesday issued a report to the Human Rights Council that identifies China and Russia as two permanent members of the Security Council, who have supplied weapons used against civilians since Myanmar’s military coup.

UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Tom Andrews said in the report, he appealed to weapons exporting nations to immediately suspend their weapons sales to Myanmar.

“Despite the evidence of the military junta’s atrocity crimes being committed with impunity since launching a coup last year, UN Security Council members Russia and China continue to provide the Myanmar military junta with numerous fighter jets, armored vehicles, and in the case of Russia, the promise of further arms,” Andrews said.

“During this same period, Serbia has authorized rockets and artillery for export to the Myanmar military,” he added.

The UN expert also urged the convening of an emergency UN Security Council session to debate and vote on a resolution to, at minimum, ban those arms transfers that the Myanmar military is known to use to attack and kill Myanmar civilians.

“Stopping the junta’s atrocity crimes begins with blocking their access to weapons,” he said.

“The more the world delays, the more innocent people, including children, will die in Myanmar.”

Andrews said that the people of Myanmar are imploring the UN to act.