President Kaljulaid added that Russia failed to explain its military build-up along the borders of Ukraine and in occupied Crimea last week in OSCE, which runs counter to the letter and spirit of the OSCE confidence building mechanisms.
“Serious and massive human rights violations can pose a threat to peace and security – this Council has made that link stating that severe human rights violations are an early warning indicator of conflict with international implication. So, maintaining peace also depends on how states treat their own citizens. There must be accountability between a state and a society. This is the only road to a less violent world. The unfolding tragedies in Belarus, Yemen, Syria and Myanmar are clear proof of that,” president Kaljulaid said.
“Entire world observes with pain the army killing its own citizens, including children, in Myanmar. Here the ASEAN has a critical role in pressuring the army to stop the atrocities. It is important that ASEAN will be able to organize a summit dedicated to the grave situation in Myanmar,” the Estonian Head of State added.
Today’s UN Security Council Open Debate focused on Enhancing Cooperation between the United Nations and Regional and Sub-regional Organizations in Enhancing Confidence Building and Dialogue in Conflict Prevention and Resolution. The other speakers included the UN Secretary General António Guterres, Former Secretary-General of the UN Ban Ki-moon, President of Viet Nam Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta.
