STATEMENT: Foreign minister on Myanmar coup anniversary

MARISE PAYNE Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Women STATEMENT ON MYANMAR COUP ANNIVERSARY 1 February 2022 As we mark one year since the military coup in Myanmar, Australia reiterates its call on the military to halt violence against civilians and return the country to the path of democracy. The military’s actions on 1 February 2021 denied the will of the Myanmar people.  Since that time, the military has inflicted horrific violence, trampled basic freedoms and triggered humanitarian, security, health and economic crises across the country. Australia condemns the use of violence against civilians and other serious human rights violations. We urge the military to exercise restraint and to release all those arbitrarily detained, including Australian Professor Sean Turnell. We reiterate our call for the military to allow immediate and unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all people in need. We also call on the military to engage meaningfully in inclusive dialogue for a peaceful return of Myanmar to the path of democracy. Australia strongly supports ASEAN’s leadership and efforts of the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar. We urge the military to honour its commitment to implement ASEAN’s Five Point Consensus. Australia also welcomes the work of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations. We call on the international community to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar, to suspend all operational support to the military and its representatives, and to cease the provision of arms, enabling materiel and technical assistance. Australia will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those most in need and remains committed to working with regional and international partners in response to these crises. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]