EU, others condemn 'devastating effects' of military takeover in Myanmar

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) – Top diplomats from the EU, US, UK, Albania, Australia, Canada, Korea, Norway, New Zealand, and Switzerland deplored on Tuesday the “devastating effects” of the military takeover in Myanmar that took place a year ago.

“We strongly condemn the military regime’s human rights violations and abuses across the country, including against Rohingya and other ethnic and religious minorities,” they said in a joint statement.

The foreign ministers expressed concerns over “credible reports” on torture and sexual violence, a large number of political prisoners, along with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, and called on the regime to immediately end the state of emergency.

The statement pointed out that the military takeover had “devastating effects” on the country and “gravely undermined peace and stability in Myanmar and the region.”

They asserted that the military regime is responsible for the humanitarian crisis affecting 14 million people, and called on the junta to allow access to international aid, including vaccination against COVID-19.

The statement called on the international community to hold the perpetrators accountable for human rights violations, and urged other countries to stop selling “arms, materiel, dual-use equipment, and technical assistance” to the military regime.

On Feb. 1, 2021, Myanmar's military seized power after allegations of fraud in the 2020 general elections.

The army arrested leaders and officials of the then-ruling National League for Democracy party, and declared a state of emergency.

Suu Kyi faces a number of cases, and was sentenced to six years imprisonment for charges that include violating coronavirus restrictions and possessing “illegally imported” walkie-talkies.

The military takeover has triggered mass protests and a crackdown on dissent with more than 1,500 civilians killed, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a local monitoring group.