Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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142. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the situation in Myanmar; and the initiatives that are being taken by the international community to restore human rights. [57742/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The deteriorating situation in Myanmar is of grave concern.  The increased level of violence across all regions since the military coup in February 2021 and its impact on the Myanmar people are deeply alarming. I am deeply saddened at reports that over 2,500 people have been killed and almost 13,000 continue to be arbitrarily detained. 

As I have stated previously, Ireland condemns the coup in the strongest terms. It is an affront to the democratic will of the people of Myanmar and has no legitimacy. We strongly condemn the politically-motivated sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi and others and the shocking execution of four pro-democracy activists last July. 

Ireland is deeply concerned by increased violence, poverty, and hunger in Myanmar.  Over 1 million people have been displaced by conflict and over 14.4 million are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. We are committed to ensuring assistance for the most vulnerable in Myanmar, including internally displaced persons and Rohingya refugees, and call for unhindered access for humanitarian workers, free from political interference. We are concerned that the operating environment for delivery of humanitarian assistance is becoming more restrictive for NGOs. Ireland continues to monitor these developments closely. 

Ireland fully supports ASEAN's five-point consensus towards a peaceful resolution. We welcome the ASEAN Leader’s Review and decision on implementation as agreed at the ASEAN Leader’s Summit on 11 November, and ASEAN's commitment to engage with all stakeholders. 

Ireland remains a strong advocate for the people of Myanmar on the United Nations Security Council, which has discussed the situation on ten occasions. We have also consistently raised the situation in Myanmar at each session of the Human Rights Council. The EU has adopted five packages of sanctions on Myanmar since the coup, most recently on 8 November. Sanctions remain necessary due to the continuing grave situation, the intensifying human rights violations, and abuse of international law, including international human rights law. Ireland will continue to monitor developments and press for an urgent solution to the crisis.