On Wednesday 31 January, 3 years after the coup d’état in Myanmar on 1 February 2021, the European Union condemned the army’s repressive actions, marked by the use of violence against its own population, as a serious violation of human rights and a disregard for the principles of justice and humanity.
To mark the anniversary, the EU also issued a joint statement on Thursday 1 February with the foreign affairs ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, expressing solidarity with the people of Myanmar and condemning the atrocities and human rights violations.
Since the coup, the army’s actions have fuelled a growing humanitarian crisis, with 2.6 million people displaced and more than 18 million in need, the statement said.
The signatories condemn the ongoing atrocities and human rights violations, “such as sexual and gender-based violence, and the restriction of fundamental freedoms including freedom of expression through peaceful protests and the media”.
They urge the Myanmar army to end violence against civilians, release political prisoners and allow full access for humanitarian aid.
They also support ASEAN’s efforts to resolve the crisis, call for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2669 and request the rapid appointment of a special envoy and a resident coordinator.
Finally, the signatory countries call on the international community to stop arming the Myanmar army and to meet the urgent humanitarian needs for a peaceful and democratic future.
“Three years on from the military coup, we continue to stand in solidarity with the Myanmar people and their desire for an inclusive and genuine democracy in Myanmar”, they conclude. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)