TDS Desk:

The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada and other countries said they continue to support calls for “genuine, constructive, and inclusive” dialogue to find a peaceful solution to the situation in Myanmar and a return to the path of inclusive democracy.

In a joint statement, the High Representative on behalf of the European Union and the governments of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, and the United Kingdom called for addressing the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

The countries reiterated their full support for ASEAN’s central role in finding a resolution to the crisis, including the work of the ASEAN Chair and Special Envoy, consistent with the Five Point Consensus, and acknowledged the important role of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar.

The reports of violations of international law targeting Rohingya, in addition to the military’s history of stoking intercommunal tensions in Rakhine State and elsewhere across the country, underscore the grave dangers to civilians, according to the joint statement.

They are “troubled by the lack of safe areas for civilians” to escape the conflict and attacks on civilians fleeing the violence across Myanmar.

Humanitarian needs have increased due to the conflict and been exacerbated by the regime’s denial of humanitarian access.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of more than 3.5 million people, some of whom have fled the country.

More than 15 million people now face acute food insecurity. Disease outbreak, including cholera, is on the rise while access constraints inhibit the delivery of medical assistance.

They urged the military regime and all armed actors in Myanmar to de-escalate violence, respect international humanitarian law and international human rights laws, protect civilians, and allow full, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access so that life-saving aid can be provided to all people in need, including women, children, and members of ethnic and minority populations.

“We emphasize that addressing the underlying discrimination and brutal treatment faced by Rohingya must be a part of a political solution to the crisis in Myanmar,” they said.

The signatories of the statement urged the implementation of UNSC resolution 2669 (2022) which called for the immediate end to all forms of violence in Myanmar and urged restraint, the de-escalation of tensions, and the release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners.

They are deeply concerned by the worsening human rights and humanitarian crisis across Myanmar.

This crisis is exacerbated by the escalation of violence, as well as intercommunal tension.

The regime’s ongoing and violent repression of the people of Myanmar is unacceptable, they said in the joint statement released by the US Department of State on Tuesday.

There are credible reports of human rights violations and abuses and international humanitarian law violations committed against civilians, the statement mentioned.

These include: abduction and forced recruitment of children and members of ethnic and religious minorities; the Myanmar military’s indiscriminate aerial bombardments that kill and injure civilians and damage civilian infrastructure; sexual and gender-based violence; the burning of homes; attacks on humanitarian workers and facilities; and restrictions on humanitarian access by the military regime and various armed groups.

“We have also seen disturbing reports of dismemberment and burning of civilians,” they said.

The intensification of the conflict in Rakhine State and the suffering experienced by all communities there, including Rohingya, is deeply concerning.