Marking three years since the military coup, a Joint Statement was issued on February 1 by the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the High Representative on behalf of the European Union.

In the statement, the Foreign Ministers and the High Representative pointed out that Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis has worsened under the military regime. They also conveyed support for the role of the United Nations and ASEAN in addressing the crisis and reaffirmed the international community’s commitment to support efforts for Myanmar’s peaceful, inclusive and democratic future. The main content of the statement is as follows:

Three years ago, on 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew the democratically elected government. Under the military regime, violence against civilians has escalated, with thousands jailed, tortured and killed. Airstrikes, shelling and arson have been used to destroy civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools and healthcare facilities. Systematic discrimination against members of religious and ethnic groups including Rohingya is rife. The military’s actions have fueled a growing humanitarian crisis with 2.6 million people displaced and more than 18 million people in need.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the military regime’s ongoing atrocities and human rights violations. We reiterate our call for the military to change course, immediately ceasing violence against civilians, releasing all unjustly detained political prisoners, allowing full humanitarian access and creating space for inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders.

We strongly encourage unified efforts by ASEAN to resolve the crisis, and commend the constructive efforts of the ASEAN Chairs and Special Envoys. We call on the military regime to implement ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus* and engage with ASEAN representatives, in order for Myanmar to transition towards an inclusive democracy.

    * ① immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar ② commencement of constructive dialogue among all parties concerned ③ facilitation of mediation by a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair ④ provision of humanitarian assistance by ASEAN ⑤ visit by the ASEAN Chair’s special envoy and delegation to Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned

We continue to support the full implementation of United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution 2669 (2022) and underline our support for UN Security Council activities to support ASEAN’s efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. We call on the UN to strengthen its efforts on Myanmar including via the timely appointment of a Special Envoy and a Resident Coordinator and urge UN Member states to maintain their support to address urgent humanitarian needs in Myanmar.

We call on members of the international community to support efforts to push the Myanmar military to cease violence, to bring about genuinely inclusive dialogue, in order to establish a credible, peaceful democratic future for Myanmar. We also call on the international community to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of people in Myanmar and refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries, and to cease providing the Myanmar military with arms and equipment.

Three years since the military coup, the ROK continues its efforts to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the Myanmar crisis in close cooperation with the international community.

Attached : Joint Statement Marking Three Years Since the Military Coup in Myanmar