GENEVA: The UN Special Envoy for Myanmar said on Saturday that conducting elections without an “inclusive political talk” risks violence in the country. She expressed the remarks after meeting a key opposition leader in Geneva. Noeleen Heyzer will leave the office on June 12, AFP reported.
UN Calls for Political Dialogue in Myanmar Before Elections
Noeleen Heyzer said she met with the Foreign Minister of the National Unity Government in exile.
She warned against the current attempts by the Myanmar army to undermine democratic entities and processes, such as the dissolution of opposition political parties.
The envoy warned, “The army’s proposed poll risk worsening the violence in the absence of inclusive political negotiation and circumstances that permit people of Myanmar to easily exercise their rights”.
She added that any talk should focus on citizens in conflict-hit parts including youth and women.
Myanmar has faced political unrest since the army seized power in 2021, ending the government of Aung San Suu Kyi over allegations of fraud in polls.
The army has since assigned the military-dominated election body with holding new polls, which opposition parties say cannot possibly be free and fair. The Election Commission also dissolved Suu Kyi’s political party for failing to obey new election rules and regulations drawn up by the country’s army.
During her tenure, the UN Envoy has been criticized by the government and its opposition in Myanmar. Noeleen Heyzer visited Myanmar in August and met with the top military officials in a move criticized by human rights groups as lending legitimacy to the army generals.
But she was not allowed to meet with Suu Kyi and later irked rulers who accused the envoy of issuing a “one-sided statement”.
