Jonathan, Narinjara News, 10 January 2025 

The European Union and the United States, along with eight additional nations, have released a joint statement concerning the escalating human rights and humanitarian situation in Myanmar. 

On 6 January, the High Representative representing 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 released a joint statement to tackle the human rights and humanitarian situation in Myanmar. 

The declaration emphasized the worsening crisis, fueled by rising violence and intercommunal tension. 

It denounced the military government's brutal oppression of the people of Myanmar, deeming it intolerable. 

“There are reliable accounts of human rights abuses, violations, and infringements of international humanitarian law against civilians,” the statement indicated. 

These offenses encompass the kidnapping and coerced enlistment of children and individuals from ethnic and religious minorities, indiscriminate airstrikes, sexual and gender-related violence, damage to residences, assaults on aid workers, and limitations on humanitarian access enforced by the military government and armed factions. 

The statement also expressed concern regarding reports of civilians being mutilated and incinerated. 

The escalation of conflict in Arakan State, impacting all communities, including the Rohingya, was highlighted as deeply concerning. 

The joint statement highlighted the military's past role in exacerbating intercommunal conflicts and the persistent breaches of international law aimed at the Rohingya as evidence of the serious risks confronting civilians. 

The signatories voiced worry regarding the absence of secure zones for civilians to avoid the violence and the assaults on those attempting to escape. Humanitarian demands have drastically increased, affecting over 3.5 million individuals, with many compelled to exit the country. 

Moreover, over 15 million individuals experience severe food insecurity. 

The rise in disease outbreaks, such as cholera, is occurring alongside access limitations that hinder the provision of medical support. 

The statement called on the Myanmar military and all armed factions to reduce violence, adhere to international humanitarian and human rights regulations, safeguard civilians, and guarantee complete, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access to provide life-saving assistance to those in need, especially women, children, and minority communities. 

Resolving the systemic discrimination and harsh treatment of the Rohingya was recognized as an essential component of any political solution to the crisis. 

The signatories urged the enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022), which calls for an instant halt to violence in Myanmar, the freeing of those held unjustly, and a de-escalation of tensions.

The joint statement reaffirmed backing for ASEAN’s initiatives to address the crisis, such as the Five-Point Consensus and the efforts of the ASEAN Chair and Special Envoy. The importance of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar was recognized as significant. 

Finally, the statement emphasized the importance of authentic, inclusive dialogue to achieve a peaceful solution and reinstate Myanmar's journey towards inclusive democracy.