More than twenty foreign ministers and the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, on Wednesday encouraged the international community to support the Burmese people following the effects of the two-year coup d’état.
«Once again, we call on all members of the international community to support all efforts to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and abuses; to cease the sale and transfer of arms and equipment that facilitate atrocities; and to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the people of Burma, including its most vulnerable communities,» reads a joint communiqué.
Thus, the foreign ministers of countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, South Korea, Ghana and New Zealand have shown their «resolve» in supporting «all those working peacefully for an inclusive and democratic future for the people of Burma».
«Over the past two years, the people of Burma have courageously demonstrated their commitment to a democratic country, demanding respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and demonstrating resolute resilience in the face of unspeakable atrocities,» the ministers stressed.
Despite this, since the coup d’état by the Burmese Army on February 1, 2021, the country has been plunged into a deep political, economic and humanitarian crisis, which has been coupled with violent repression of any form of opposition, including peaceful protests.
«The military overturned the democratic wishes of the people of Burma expressed in the November 2020 general election when they seized power (…) We reiterate our call for Burma to return to a democratic path,» reads the missive.
«There are increasing reports that airstrikes, shelling and the mass burning of villages and places of worship have targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure,» they lamented, adding that torture and sexual violence by security forces are widespread.
The ministers also welcomed the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in addressing the crisis in the country, as well as the first UN Security Council resolution passed in December calling for an immediate cessation of violence and the upholding of human rights, the communiqué said.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
