Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right that it is an awful situation and, because there are so many other awful situations around the world, it may not be getting the attention it should. I remain deeply concerned by the deteriorating security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Myanmar. It has been 19 months since the military took control by coup and launched a brutal campaign to retain power and reverse the hard-won progress that had been made in that country. Their actions had devastating consequences for people there. I utterly condemn the coup and attempts to consolidate or legitimise the military regime.

The Government has repeatedly called for the immediate release of detainees. It has expressed abhorrence at the indefensible killing of unarmed civilians and the use of military weaponry, sexual violence, torture and the death penalty by the military regime. It has done so through five national statements since the coup. I also strongly support the EU's adoption of sanctions against the perpetrators of the coup and the economic entities that sustain them.

Ireland has advocated for regular discussion of the situation on the UN Security Council. There have been ten discussions at the council since the coup, regrettably in closed meeting format, most recently on 16 September. At those meetings, we have highlighted our deep concern at the deteriorating situation on the ground, including the death sentences carried out by the military regime against pro-democracy activists. I remain deeply concerned by the politically motivated verdicts against Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and others.

At the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland has consistently supported international efforts towards ensuring accountability and justice, including through the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

The humanitarian situation in Myanmar is precarious and civilians continue to bear the brunt of the armed conflict. More than 14 million people require humanitarian assistance and almost 1.3 million people are displaced across the country. To date in 2022 the Government has provided €1.2 million towards humanitarian needs in Myanmar. We have also responded through our core support for the UN-pooled Central Emergency Response Fund, CERF, which has provided over €12 million in response to the crisis this year. In 2022, the EU has allocated more than €27 million in humanitarian aid.

The Government also continues to provide support to the Rohingya crisis, allocating over €8 million between 2018 and 2021 through trusted UN and NGO partners. I will continue to work closely with partners in the EU and at the UN to encourage diplomatic solutions to end a crisis that is entirely self-made by the military in Myanmar. We will continue to try to prioritise and shine a spotlight on that horrific situation, which is not getting enough international attention.

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