It's hardly a surprise but an affirmation of the obvious. Myanmar's military regime is being backed, supported and protected by both Russia and China. What's new is that the specifics of this assistance have come to light in a landmark United Nations report uncovering the extent of arms and munitions transfers to Myanmar, beset by longtime military rule, amid spurts of democratic governance, but overall isolation and indifference.
"Despite overwhelming evidence of the Myanmar military's atrocity crimes against the people of Myanmar, the generals continue to have access to advanced weapons systems, spare parts for fighter jets, raw materials and manufacturing equipment for domestic weapons production," said UN Special Rapporteur, Tom Andrews. The report released last week from the UN rights monitor, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), asserts that a series of front companies, along with lax enforcement, have allowed firms to avoid arms sanctions and provide weapons.
