Urgent Collective Address: Human Rights and Humanitarian Crisis Unfolding in Myanmar

The content of the subsequent joint statement was issued by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union along with the Governments of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, and the United Kingdom to address the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

We are extremely worried about the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation throughout Myanmar. This crisis is aggravated by the rise of violence and intercommunal strife. The regime’s continuous and brutal repression of the populace in Myanmar is intolerable.

There are trustworthy accounts of human rights infringements and violations of international humanitarian law against civilians. These include: kidnapping and forced enlistment of children and individuals from ethnic and religious minorities; the Myanmar military’s indiscriminate aerial strikes that harm and kill civilians, damaging civilian assets; sexual and gender-based violence; destruction of homes; assaults on humanitarian personnel and facilities; and restrictions placed on humanitarian access by the military regime and various armed factions. We have also encountered alarming reports of dismemberment and incineration of civilians.

The escalation of conflict in Rakhine State and the suffering endured by all demographics there, including Rohingya, is profoundly disturbing. Reports of violations of international law aimed at Rohingya, along with the military’s historical role in inflaming inter-communal tensions in Rakhine State and across the country, highlight the significant threats faced by civilians.

We are alarmed by the absence of secure zones for civilians to escape from the violence and attacks on those fleeing conflict throughout Myanmar. Humanitarian needs have grown due to the conflict and have been worsened by the regime’s obstruction of humanitarian access. The ongoing hostilities have caused the displacement of over 3.5 million individuals, some of whom have sought refuge in other countries. More than 15 million individuals are currently experiencing acute food insecurity. The outbreak of diseases, including cholera, is rising while access constraints hinder the provision of medical aid.

We call upon the military regime and all armed entities in Myanmar to de-escalate hostilities, uphold international humanitarian and human rights laws, safeguard civilians, and enable full, secure, and unobstructed humanitarian access to ensure that life-saving aid reaches all individuals in need, including women, children, and members of ethnic and minority groups. We stress that addressing the underlying discrimination and harsh treatment endured by Rohingya must be integrated into any political resolution of the crisis in Myanmar.

We again advocate for the enactment of UNSC resolution 2669 (2022), which called for an immediate cessation of all forms of violence in Myanmar and urged restraint, reduction of tensions, and the liberation of all arbitrarily detained individuals.

We restate our unwavering support for ASEAN’s pivotal role in resolving the crisis, including the efforts of the ASEAN Chair and Special Envoy, in alignment with the Five Point Consensus, and acknowledge the significant contribution of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar.

We persist in endorsing calls for authentic, constructive, and inclusive dialogue to achieve a peaceful resolution to the situation in Myanmar and a return to the path of inclusive democracy.