Written answers

Thursday, 4 March 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Foreign Conflicts

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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110. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps taken or in hand by the EU and UN to address the situation in Myanmar in which the president has been deposed; if action will be taken against the instigators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12453/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland strongly condemns the coup carried out by the Myanmar military on 1 February and the unlawful and arbitrary detention of political leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. We call for the results of the November 2020 democratic elections to be respected and the legitimate civilian Government restored.

The coup is a reversal of progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar that have taken years to establish, and does nothing to tackle the public health, security or economic issues faced by the people of Myanmar.

Ireland deplores the killing of innocent civilians. The escalating use of force by the Myanmar military, the killing of protesters, the wounding of others and the use of live ammunition is totally unacceptable. We are deeply saddened by the deaths and critical injuries sustained by peaceful protesters.

Ireland, the EU and UN, including the Security Council, have taken various steps to address the situation in Myanmar since February 1st.

Ireland set out its concerns in a discussion at the UN Security Council on 2 February. The Security Council issued a Press Statement on 4 February reflecting the concerns of all 15 members. Given the events of the past weekend, the matter may come again to the Council in the coming days.

An informal meeting of the General Assembly was convened on 26 February to hear a briefing from the Special Envoy on Myanmar and discuss developments. Ireland aligned with a strong and comprehensive EU statement at that session.

Military rule opens significant scope for further human rights abuses in Myanmar and Ireland is voicing its concern at sessions of the Human Rights Council and we welcome the unanimous resolution agreed at the special session of the Human Rights Council on 12 February.

In my statement of 11 February I called for a firm response from the international community, including sanctions that target the perpetrators of the coup. On 22 February, EU Foreign Ministers agreed to devise targeted sanctions on the leaders of the coup. In taking such decisions, Ireland is committed to ensuring that any course of action is appropriate, works to restore the democratic path in Myanmar and does not negatively affect developmental gains or exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Myanmar.

Ireland will continue to work with our partners in the EU, with other members of the UN Security Council and with countries in the region to ensure an effective, appropriate, and sustainable outcome to this crisis.

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