Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 1 February 2025

On February 1, the European Union (EU), along with eight other nations, released a joint statement firmly denouncing the increasing violence perpetrated by Myanmar's military.

The declaration, released by the European Union, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, marked the fourth anniversary of the military takeover in Myanmar.

"We strongly denounce the increasing violence from the Myanmar military regime that endangers civilians, encompassing human rights abuses, sexual and gender-based violence, as well as the systematic persecution and discrimination of all religious and ethnic minorities," the statement asserted.

According to the statement, following the coup, the people of Myanmar have been under military control, which has stripped numerous individuals of their rights, democratic aspirations, and, for thousands, their freedom and lives.

The statement emphasized the concerning increase in military airstrikes, which have escalated almost 25 times since the coup, currently averaging three airstrikes daily.

The airstrikes conducted by the military are claiming civilian lives and damaging schools, markets, religious sites, and healthcare facilities. This signifies an average of three airstrikes daily, reflecting nearly a 25-fold rise since 2021," the statement noted.

According to the statement, the military's airstrikes are claiming civilian lives and damaging schools, markets, places of worship, and medical facilities.

The increase in airstrikes in regions without ongoing conflict is perceived as a significant escalation by the military, the statement noted.

The statement additionally urged the Myanmar military government to promptly reduce violence and permit unrestricted and safe humanitarian access throughout the nation.

It called on all parties to focus on safeguarding civilians and comply completely with International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.

By 2025, humanitarian requirements in Myanmar have surged twenty times since the coup. More than one-third of the nation's population—19.9 million individuals—requires humanitarian aid to fulfill basic needs.

According to the statement, approximately 15.2 million individuals require food assistance, and instances of preventable illnesses are increasing.

The statement additionally mentioned that over 3.5 million individuals are displaced as a result of rising needs and continuous conflict, marking an increase of almost one million from last year.

"Numerous additional individuals are compelled to escape across the borders of Myanmar. Increasing transnational crime, such as drug production and trafficking, fraud operations, and human trafficking, negatively impacts the people of Myanmar and influences adjacent nations, endangering stability in the wider region, " the statement indicated.

"At this moment, the Myanmar military government must swiftly alter its approach. We emphatically call on the Myanmar military government to halt violence, specifically against civilians and civilian infrastructure, free all political prisoners, and participate in authentic and inclusive discussions with all parties involved. ," the statement continued.

The joint statement highlighted the necessity of accountability for all atrocities in Myanmar, ensuring the protection of human rights and the prevention of violations and abuses.