In a joint statement with the governments of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Timor-Leste and the United Kingdom, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, on behalf of the EU, expressed concern on Monday 6 January about the worsening humanitarian and human rights crisis in Myanmar.
The signatories state that there are credible reports of “human rights violations and abuses, as well as violations of international humanitarian law committed against civilians”, against a background of escalating violence and inter-communal tensions.
The signatories emphasise in particular the intensification of the conflict in Rakhine State and the suffering endured by the Rohingya.
They point out that the ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of more than 3.5 million people, some of whom have fled the country, and that more than 15 million people are now facing acute food insecurity.
They urge the military regime and all armed actors in Myanmar to “defuse the violence, respect international humanitarian and human rights law, protect civilians and allow full humanitarian access”.
They also reiterate their call for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022), which called for an immediate end to all forms of violence in Myanmar, and reiterate their support for ASEAN’s central role in finding a solution to the crisis. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)