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UN envoy describes Burma 'abuse' | UN envoy describes Burma 'abuse' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The UN's envoy to Burma has voiced concern about arbitrary arrests and rights abuses he says are continuing following widespread protests. | |
Ibrahim Gambari warned Burma's military rulers their actions could have "serious international repercussions". | Ibrahim Gambari warned Burma's military rulers their actions could have "serious international repercussions". |
He was briefing the UN Security Council after a four-day visit to Burma, where he met senior generals and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. | |
At least 10 people were killed in the crackdown after last week's protests. | |
Mr Gambari said he feared the real death toll could be much higher. | Mr Gambari said he feared the real death toll could be much higher. |
'Abhorrent' actions | 'Abhorrent' actions |
He said there was great concern over reports of night-time raids, arbitrary arrests, mass relocations and beatings "being committed by security and non-uniformed elements". | He said there was great concern over reports of night-time raids, arbitrary arrests, mass relocations and beatings "being committed by security and non-uniformed elements". |
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7029957.stm">Living in fear class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7023548.stm">The causes of protest | |
"To delay the prospect of a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Myanmar [the official name for Burma] is to deny to those who deserve it the most - the people of Myanmar," he said. | |
"They have suffered too much for too long." | "They have suffered too much for too long." |
Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the Burmese authorities' use of force on peaceful protesters was "abhorrent and unacceptable". | Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the Burmese authorities' use of force on peaceful protesters was "abhorrent and unacceptable". |
Meanwhile, Burmese state TV broadcast an image of Ms Suu Kyi for the first time in years on Friday. | Meanwhile, Burmese state TV broadcast an image of Ms Suu Kyi for the first time in years on Friday. |
Earlier reports suggested that General Than Shwe, the head of the ruling junta, had agreed in principle to meet the detained pro-democracy leader. | Earlier reports suggested that General Than Shwe, the head of the ruling junta, had agreed in principle to meet the detained pro-democracy leader. |
Mr Gambari said he was "cautiously encouraged" by the news and called for "maximum flexibility" from both sides. | Mr Gambari said he was "cautiously encouraged" by the news and called for "maximum flexibility" from both sides. |
Buddhist monks became the focal point of the protests, which continued for two weeks until they were brutally suppressed. | Buddhist monks became the focal point of the protests, which continued for two weeks until they were brutally suppressed. |
Burmese officials on Friday said that more than 500 monks had been detained during the crackdown. But they added all but 109 were subsequently freed. | Burmese officials on Friday said that more than 500 monks had been detained during the crackdown. But they added all but 109 were subsequently freed. |
BBC sources in Burma say as many as 10,000 people - many of them monks - had been rounded up for interrogation following the protests. | BBC sources in Burma say as many as 10,000 people - many of them monks - had been rounded up for interrogation following the protests. |