Joint statement at the UN Security Council by Dame .
"This morning the Security Council will convene a private meeting
to discuss the situation in Myanmar. We will hear from Special
Envoy Alounkeo Kittikhoun on Laos’ plans, as chair of ASEAN, to
address the Myanmar crisis, and from Assistant Secretary-General
Khiari for an update on the UN’s efforts in this regard.
I am making the following statement on behalf of Ecuador, France,
Japan, Malta, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, the
United States, and the United Kingdom.
The first of February marked three years since the Myanmar
military overturned the democratically elected government. The
situation in the country remains dire.
We strongly condemn the ongoing violence harming civilians,
including the military’s continued use of indiscriminate air
strikes. We echo the call of ASEAN in urging the Myanmar Armed
Forces, in particular, to cease its attacks on civilians and
civilian infrastructure.
Three years in, more than 18 million people are in need of
humanitarian assistance, and 2.6 million have been and remain
displaced from their homes. We reiterate the Council’s
repeated call for full, rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian
access to all people in need, including women, children, and
members of ethnic and other minority populations.
We remain deeply concerned about the situation in Rakhine State,
which has further deteriorated following the breakdown of the
ceasefire within the State. Rohingya, who have faced systematic
discrimination for decades, continue to be disproportionately
affected by the conflict.
We are increasingly concerned by the restrictions on freedom of
movement, as well as the denial of access to medicine and medical
care. We underscore the need to create conditions conducive to
the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of
Rohingya refugees and internally displaced persons.
As set out in UN Security Council resolution 2669, we demand an
immediate end to all forms of violence and urge restraint and
de-escalation of tensions. We continue to urge the Myanmar
military to immediately release all arbitrarily detained
prisoners, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor
Aung San Suu Kyi.
We urge all parties to respect human rights, fundamental
freedoms, the rule of law, and the democratic will and interests
of the people of Myanmar. W
e remain deeply concerned at the continued lack of progress on
these issues and once again call for the full implementation of
resolution 2669.
We reiterate our strong support for ASEAN and the efforts of the
ASEAN Chair, and acknowledge ASEAN’s central role in pursuit of a
peaceful, comprehensive, and durable solution to the ongoing
crisis.
We call on the Myanmar military to fulfil its commitments to
effectively and fully implement the ASEAN Five Point Consensus.
We look forward to the timely appointment of a Resident
Coordinator and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on
Myanmar to enable close coordination between ASEAN and the UN. We
continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and
their desire for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic future.
Thank you."
