China Comes to Junta's Rescue Again

China has permanent interests over Burma. With its veto power lording over UN's Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked initiatives to make the junta accountable to human rights violations and now, to a move by UK to raise the issue of the regime's electoral laws. Why can't the UN change it's own system if the present UNSC policies are not helping at all in calling for an international call? The UN continues to aid China which continues to aid the junta if it will not reform some of its suppressive laws. Nonetheless, The Irrawaddy writes here:

Beijing has once again come to the defense of Burma's ruling junta, using its permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to block a move by the UK to raise the issue of the regime's recently announced electoral laws.

“A number of council members support the idea of discussing Burma and getting an update on the situation there. It’s the subject of negotiations with the Chinese at the moment, who are always reluctant on these matters,” a Western diplomat told Reuters on Friday.

Following the announcement of new electoral laws on March 8 that ban Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other dissidents from contesting this year's planned election, Burma's ruling generals have faced a fresh wave of international condemnation.

In an effort to apply pressure on the junta to review the laws, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whose country is also a permanent member of the UNSC, sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon earlier this week requesting an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.

“Burma has ignored the demands of the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General, the US, EU and its neighbors by imposing restrictive and unfair terms on elections,” Brown said on Monday, adding that the UK would seek international support to impose an arms embargo against Burma.

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