South Africa defended on Wednesday its decision to vote against a United States-led United Nations Security Council resolution urging democratic reform in Burma, saying the measure went beyond the council’s mandate.
Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said although SA was concerned about human rights violations in Burma, the situation there was not a threat to world peace and therefore did not warrant Security Council intervention.
”We are deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Myanmar [Burma] and will continue to seek the release of opposition leader Aung Sun Suu Kyi.”
He said South Africa would continue to fight for democracy, human rights and freedom in Burma.
China and Russia vetoed on Friday a draft UN Security Council resolution urging Burma’s rulers to free all political detainees and end sexual violence by the military, dealing Washington a major setback.
Also opposing the text on Friday was South Africa, which early this month joined the council as a non-permanent member.
”The draft resolution did not fit with the UN charter which limits the Security Council to dealing with matters posing a threat to world peace,” Pahad said.
”We hope the [UN] Human Rights Council will take up the matter as others have to enable us to get peace and democracy in Myanmar. It is interesting that the regional group ASEAN does not see Myanmar as a threat to peace and security.”
The United Nations has estimated there are 1 100 political prisoners in Burma, which has been ruled by the military since 1962. ‒ Sapa-AFP