Myanmar coup: UN Human Rights Council holds urgent session as UK and EU call for release of Suu Kyi

‘Growing reports and photographic evidence’ security forces have used live ammunition against protesters, investigator says

The UN’s top human rights body has opened an urgent session to discuss a military coup in Myanmar after Britan and the European Union requested it call for the release of the country’s ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Britain and the EU presented a draft resolution to the Human Rights Council on Friday calling for the “immediate and unconditional release of Ms Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and other officials in her government.

It also demands the lifting of restrictions on the internet and unimpeded humanitarian access.

"The seizure of power by the Myanmar military earlier this month constitutes a profound setback for the country after a decade of hard-won gains in its democratic transition," said the deputy high commissioner for human rights, Nada al-Nashif.

Around 300 elected MPs in Myanmar called on the UN to investigate "gross human rights violations" committed by the military since the coup on 1 February.

In a letter read out to the Human Rights Council by Britain's ambassador, Julian Braithwaite, they said the junta had also "placed restrictions on people's freedom of speech by preparing a telecommunications bill intended to control access to the Internet and mobile services.

"We urge the Human Rights Council to support our efforts."

Thomas Andrews, the UN human rights investigator for the southeast Asian country, said the UN Security Council should consider imposing punitive sanctions, arms embargoes and travel bans on the nation, as well as ensuring any assistance goes to aid groups and not the junta.

"Security Council resolutions dealing with similar situations have mandated sanctions, arms embargoes, and travel bans, and calling for judicial action at the International Criminal Court or ad hoc tribunals. All of these options should be on the table," Mr Andrews told the UN Human Rights Council.

There were "growing reports and photographic evidence" that Myanmar security forces have used live ammunition against protesters, he said.

"This violence violates international law," he said.

However, Russia and China, which have close ties with Myanmar’s military, have said they opposed holding the session.

"What happened in Myanmar is essentially Myanmar's internal affairs," said Chen Xu, China's ambassador. "China is in contact and communication with relevant parties in Myanmar to promote the relaxation and the return to normal of the situation."

Russia’s ambassador, Gennady Gatilov, said human rights issues should be addressed through "open dialogue and cooperation".

"Today's special session is clearly not conducive to that. Attempts to whip up hype around the situation in Myanmar need to cease," he said.

It comes as supporters of Ms Suu Kyi clashed with the police as hundreds of thousands joined nationwide pro-democracy protests in defiance of the junta’s call to halt mass gatherings.

Ms al-Nashif said more than 350 political and state officials, activists and civil society members, including journalists, monks and students had been taken into custody.

Myanmar’s ambassador, Myint Thu, said the country would continue to cooperate with the United Nations and uphold international human rights treaties, adding: "We do not want to stall the nascent democratic transition in the country."