Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
42. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is tracking the emerging situation in Myanmar; and if he will indicate what leverage the international community can exercise to ensure citizen rights are respected. [28796/23]
View answerI remain gravely concerned by the ongoing violence in Myanmar. The military coup in Myanmar has resulted in at more than 3,600 deaths. In recent days, brutal attacks on civilians in villages in Ye township, Mon State and in the Sagaing Region resulted in the maiming and killing of innocent people.
1.8 million people have been displaced, 400,000 of them in the last three months. 17.6 million people, or a third of Myanmar’s population, are in humanitarian need. Access to vital assistance has been severely impeded by ongoing fighting, the closure of IDP camps, and the suspension of travel authorisations for humanitarian organisations. In May, an ASEAN convoy delivering aid to displaced villagers came under fire in Myanmar’s eastern Shan state.
Looking ahead, I am concerned about further instability and violence if the military calls elections. It is inconceivable that fair, free and legitimate elections could be held, particularly in the context of the ongoing detention of political figures and the introduction by the military of the Myanmar Political Parties Registration Law.
Ireland, and our EU partners, fully supports ASEAN's five-point consensus towards a peaceful resolution. In May ASEAN leaders met and addressed the ongoing crisis. They reiterated ASEAN’s continued engagement with all stakeholders to find a peaceful and durable solution, that is Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led, to create a conducive environment for facilitating an inclusive national dialogue.
Ireland remains actively engaged on the crisis. Myanmar remains a priority on the EU agenda, including the imposition of sanctions. We have consistently raised the situation in Myanmar at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Ireland’s active engagement on Myanmar follows on from our efforts during our term on the United Nations Security Council, during which we pro-actively supported Resolution 2669.
Ireland has provided €500,000 to the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund this year with additional funding of €456,984 to Trócaire, particularly to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Mocha which hit Myanmar on 14 May, affecting 3.2 million people. Total funding from Ireland on Myanmar since the coup, including responding to the needs of Rohingya refugees, amounts to €7,146,132.
