On Friday 15 May, Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, and Poland, all of which are current or former members of the UN Security Council, expressed their concern about the military escalation in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin States and called for “an immediate, comprehensive and nationwide ceasefire”.
The European governments emphasised the importance of an inclusive response to Covid-19, and called for humanitarian and health workers to have “rapid, safe and unhindered” access to those most in need.
And with hundreds of Rohingyas attempting to flee by sea (see EUROPE 12479/28), the five governments have demanded a “regional” response to search-and-rescue operations. “We also call for respect for international law, notably international refugee law and the principle of non-refoulement”, they added. They underlined the importance of a voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Burma when conducive humanitarian, security and political conditions are met.
The European countries also called on Burma to address the root causes of the conflict and reminded it of its obligation to comply with the interim measures ordered by the International Criminal Court (see EUROPE 12410/21). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)