Pro-democracy advocates around the world are calling for the United Nations to dismiss its Myanmar envoy, Christine Schraner Burgener, over revelations of her close ties to China. The demand comes amid growing concerns about the impartiality of the UN and its ability to effectively address the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
Burgener, a Swiss diplomat, was appointed as the UN Special Envoy for Myanmar in 2018. She has been tasked with mediating between the military junta and pro-democracy groups in the country, as well as advocating for the protection of human rights and the restoration of democracy.
However, recent reports have revealed that Burgener has deep connections with China, which has been accused of supporting the military junta in Myanmar. This has raised serious questions about her ability to remain impartial and effectively carry out her duties as the UN envoy.
According to the reports, Burgener’s husband, Peter Burian, is a former Slovak ambassador to China and is currently serving as the European Union’s special representative for Central Asia. He also has close ties to Chinese officials, including former foreign minister Li Zhaoxing.
Furthermore, Burgener herself has attended several events hosted by Chinese embassies, including a conference in Beijing in 2019 where she praised China’s Belt and Road Initiative. She has also been accused of downplaying China’s role in the crisis in Myanmar, despite mounting evidence of Beijing’s support for the military junta.
These revelations have sparked outrage among pro-democracy groups, who are now demanding Burgener’s removal from her position as the UN envoy. They argue that her close ties to China not only raise questions about her impartiality, but also undermine the UN’s credibility and effectiveness in addressing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
The situation in Myanmar has been dire since the military coup on February 1st, which saw the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi overthrown and the country plunged into chaos. The military has been accused of committing horrific human rights abuses, including the killing of hundreds of civilians and the detention of thousands of pro-democracy activists.
In the face of such atrocities, the UN has been criticized for its lack of action and failure to hold the military junta accountable. The appointment of a UN envoy with close ties to China has only added to these concerns and has further eroded trust in the organization’s ability to effectively address the crisis in Myanmar.
The pro-democracy groups are now urging the UN to take immediate action and dismiss Burgener from her position. They argue that her continued presence as the UN envoy not only hinders efforts to restore democracy in Myanmar, but also sends a dangerous message that the international community is turning a blind eye to the suffering of the Myanmar people.
It is clear that the UN needs to take swift and decisive action in response to these troubling revelations. The appointment of a new envoy who is truly impartial and committed to advocating for the rights and freedoms of the people of Myanmar is crucial in this critical time.
Moreover, the UN must also take a stronger stance against China’s interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs. It is unacceptable that a country with such a poor human rights record is able to exert such influence over the UN and its officials.
In conclusion, the demand for the removal of Christine Schraner Burgener as the UN envoy for Myanmar is a necessary step towards restoring trust in the organization and addressing the ongoing crisis in the country. The UN must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that the rights and freedoms of the Myanmar people are protected and that democracy is restored.
