Ireland has strongly condemned the coup carried out by the Myanmar military and violence against civilians. The coup is a reversal of the progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar that has taken years to establish, and does nothing to tackle the public health, security or economic issues faced by the people of Myanmar. I have called upon the Myanmar military to demonstrate restraint, respect human rights and the rule of law, immediately release political detainees and restore legitimate civilian government.
In my statements, I have emphasised the importance of a united response to this crisis, in particular, we need to recognise the importance of engaging partners in the region to ensure an effective, appropriate, and sustainable outcome to the crisis. Ireland has been active in supporting similar statements from the EU and notably from the Security Council.
Ireland welcomes and supports the diplomatic efforts of ASEAN. I appreciate the sensitivity and complexity of the situation. However, the promise of their Leaders’ Summit and the five-point consensus has yet to be fulfilled and I encourage ASEAN and its members to be resolute in finding a path forwards.
Ireland repeated our call for the urgent, full implementation of the ASEAN Consensus most recently at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday and in the closed consultation of the United Nations Security Council regarding Myanmar last Friday.
Ireland was also a member of the core group for the Resolution that was comprehensively adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Friday last, which called on the Myanmar armed forces to engage with ASEAN constructively with a view to realising an inclusive and peaceful dialogue among all stakeholders in the country.
The Deputy is right to be concerned that Myanmar may well be facing a period of protracted repression, conflict and instability. I share those concerns and Ireland will continue to work actively to use our influence with partners and through our positions within the EU and the UN Security Council to promote the rule of law and protect the human rights of the people of Myanmar.
