On Tuesday 9 December, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said that the essential conditions for free and fair elections - “namely a credible, transparent, inclusive process, in line with international standards” - had not been met in Myanmar.
“These elections (scheduled for 28 December) are only pursuing bolstering legitimacy objectives for the junta,” she stressed in a statement on behalf of the EU. “Widespread violence, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, mass detentions, and the exclusion of key political actors severely undermine the credibility of the process,” said Ms Kallas.
Moreover, despite the recent amnesty, thousands of citizens remain arbitrarily detained and new laws criminalising any criticism of the electoral process further restrict freedom of expression, she added. Thus, “the environment in which electoral preparations are taking place is therefore neither conducive to public trust nor compatible with the international standards to which Myanmar has committed”.
She also pointed out that large sections of the population and the political spectrum are prevented from taking part in the elections.
See the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/jxp (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)