The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced on Monday 22 February that the European Foreign Affairs Ministers had given their political agreement to sanction those responsible for the coup d’état on 1 February in Myanmar, a coup which they condemned in their conclusions.
“We will take targeted sanctions against the military responsible for the coup and their economic interests”, the High Representative explained at the end of the EU Council, recalling that the army manages a significant part of the Burmese economy. According to Borrell, the EU will also suspend its direct financial support for government reforms.
“All other instruments at the disposal of the EU and its Member States will be examined”, warns the EU Council in its conclusions, adding that the Union would seek to avoid measures that could harm the population, especially the most vulnerable. Mr Borrell therefore opposed the cancellation of the ‘Everything But Arms’ initiative. He warned that the EU would continue its assistance to civil society and the population.
The EU Council invites the High Representative and the European Commission to “develop appropriate proposals” and warns that it will keep EU relations with Burma under constant review and consider further measures if necessary.
Beyond potential measures, the EU Council calls for appeasement through the immediate lifting of the state of emergency, the restoration of legitimate civilian government, and the opening of the newly elected parliament. “The army must renounce its action”, warn the ministers, who stress the EU’s solidarity with Burmese citizens “who are exercising their fundamental right to peacefully assemble in support of the legitimate civilian government and parliament and their choice of a democratic future”.
Condemning the military and police crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, the ministers call on the authorities to exercise maximum restraint and on all parties to refrain from the use of violence, in accordance with international law. “The situation is very worrying. People have been killed during protests”, Borrell said.
The EU Council also calls for the release of those detained in connection with the coup, unhindered access to telecommunications and information, and respect for the freedoms of expression, association and assembly, the Rule of law, and human rights.
The EU stands ready to support dialogue with all key actors who wish to resolve the situation “in good faith”, with a view to facilitating a rapid restoration of power to legitimate democratic institutions. “The EU will work with all those willing to support democracy, the Rule of law, and good governance and to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Myanmar”, the ministers add, adding that the Union will use all channels of dialogue with other regional and international partners.
See the conclusions: https://bit.ly/3aFBdwD (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)