India votes against UN move on Myanmar

New York, November 21:

India has voted against the UN resolution condemning the recent crackdown on anti-government protests by Myanmar’s ruling generals.

The resolution, adopted yesterday night by a UN General Assembly committee by a 88-24 vote with 66 abstentions, “strongly condemns the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators who were exercising their rights to freedom of opinion and expression and to peaceful assembly and association”.

In a statement explaining India’s negative vote, Kunwar Sarvraj Singh,

MP and member of the Indian delegation to the UN, said: “By adopting a condemnatory, intrusive and unhelpful tone, this draft resolution will not contribute or strengthen the initiatives being taken (in Myanmar) by the UN and may, in fact, prove to be counter-productive.”

Singh said India believes human rights in a country are better promoted and protected by the international community thr-ough dialogue, consultation and cooperation.

Besides India, China and Russia, too, voted against the resolution, which was co-sponsored by western countries, including the US. The resolution is expected to be endorsed by the full 192-member UN General Assembly next month.