The European Union and the international community have issued a joint statement urging Myanmar to immediately end the State of Emergency, allow unhindered humanitarian access, release all arbitrarily detained persons, including foreigners, and swiftly return the country to the democratic process.

The joint statement issued by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union, and the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, on the one year anniversary of the military takeover in Myanmar.

On 1 February 2021, the military seized power in Myanmar, denying the democratic aspirations of Myanmar’s people. One year later, the devastating impact on the people of Myanmar is clear. Over 14 million people are in humanitarian need, the economy is in crisis, democratic gains have been reversed, and conflict is spreading across the country.

The crisis has gravely undermined peace and stability in Myanmar and the region, the statement says.

In the statement, they once again call for the immediate cessation of violence and for constructive dialogue among all parties to resolve the crisis peacefully. They also reiterate their call on the military to immediately end the State of Emergency, allow unhindered humanitarian access, release all arbitrarily detained persons, including foreigners, and swiftly return the country to the democratic process.

On the anniversary of the takeover, they say they remember those who have lost their lives over the past year, including women, children, humanitarian personnel, human rights defenders, and peaceful protesters. They strongly condemn the military’s human rights violations and abuses across the country, including against other ethnic and religious minorities.

They express grave concern at the credible reports of torture and sexual and gender-based violence and serious concern over the more than 400,000 additional people who have fled their homes since the military takeover. They also express grave concern at the deepening humanitarian crisis across the country and urge the military to provide rapid, full, and unhindered humanitarian access to vulnerable populations, including for the purposes of vaccination against COVID-19. They then express grave concern over the large number of persons arbitrarily detained and the sentencing of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees.

All members of the international community have been called upon to support efforts to promote justice for the people of Myanmar; to hold those responsible for human rights violations and abuses accountable; to cease the sale and transfer of arms, materiel, dual-use equipment, and technical assistance to the military and its representatives; and to continue supporting the people of Myanmar in meeting urgent humanitarian needs.

In the statement, the EU and those countries emphasize their support for the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and the efforts of the ASEAN Special Envoy to support a peaceful resolution in the interests of the people of Myanmar. They call on the military to engage meaningfully with ASEAN’s efforts to pursue full and urgent implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, which includes ensuring that the ASEAN Special Envoy has access to all parties in Myanmar, including pro-democracy groups. Then then welcome the work of the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar and urge the military to engage constructively with her.