UN Human Rights Council debating resolution against Myanmar coup leaders

Buddhist monks display pictures of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a street march against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. Myanmar’s coup leader used the country’s Union Day holiday on Friday to call on people to work with the military if they want democracy, a request likely to be met with derision by protesters who are pushing for the release from detention of their country’s elected leaders. (AP Photo)

The UN’s top human rights body has opened an urgent session to discuss the military coup in Myanmar, with calls for the release of people “arbitrarily detained” — including civilian government leader Aung San Suu Kyi — and more action by United Nations officials to increase scrutiny of the country.

The Human Rights Council has no power to impose sanctions but can train a potent political spotlight on rights abuses and violations.