Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
766. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions that Irish Government is taking to combat the grave human rights violations taking place in Myanmar following the military coup there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43629/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI continue to be gravely concerned by the deteriorating human rights, security, and humanitarian situation in Myanmar. The impacts of the February 2021 coup have been devastating for the people of Myanmar.
Ireland abhors the deliberate targeting and killing of civilians, including women and children, and the use of military weaponry, sexual violence, torture, and the death penalty by the military regime.
Ireland is actively engaged on the crisis in Myanmar in the context of our role on the United Nations Security Council and through the European Union. The situation in Myanmar has been considered nine times by the Security Council since the coup, most recently on 27 May 2022. At that meeting the Council was briefed by UN Special Envoy Noeleen Heyzer and ASEAN Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn. Ireland highlighted the deterioration of the situation on the ground, pointing to the Tatmadaw’s continued targeting of civilians. Ireland also called for unhindered and unfettered humanitarian access and raised the plight of the Rohingya.
Ireland continues to raise reports of abhorrent human rights violations in Myanmar during sessions of the Human Rights Council, most recently delivering a National Statement on 29 June.
At a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Myanmar on 13 June, Ireland expressed abhorrence on the passing of death sentences, primarily by military courts and without the possibility of appeal.
Following the shocking announcement that four pro-democracy activists in Myanmar had been executed by the military in July, Ireland released a statement reiterating our unequivocal stance against the death penalty and condemning these killings in the strongest terms. In a press statement agreed by all 15 members, the United Nations Security Council also condemned these executions.
Furthermore, Ireland is gravely concerned by the continued arbitrary detention of prisoners on suspected political grounds. On 2 September, the courts sentenced both Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint to a further three years imprisonment with hard labour, on charges of electoral fraud. Cumulatively, Aung San Suu Kyi now faces a total 20-year sentence, with further cases outstanding. Ireland supports the EU's condemnation of these sentences and its call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners. Such proceedings appear to be an attempt to exclude Aung San Suu Kyi and democratically elected leaders from future political engagement in Myanmar, contrary to the inclusive approach called for by ASEAN's five-point consensus. Ireland calls for the release of all those detained.
The EU has adopted four sanctions packages against Myanmar since the coup in February 2021, most recently on 21 February 2022. We fully support action against perpetrators of the coup as well as those who sustain them, and welcome consideration of further measures that would be effective in working to restore the democratic path.
Ireland condemns the military regime for violation of human rights and will continue to call for those responsible to be held to account. We are encouraged by international efforts towards ensuring accountability and justice, including the ongoing processes at the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court.
