I am following the worrying events in Myanmar. The escalation of violence with more than 100 civilian killings perpetrated by the military against its own people on its ‘Armed Forces Day’ is unacceptable. Far from celebrating, the Myanmar military has made yesterday a day of horror and of shame.
I reiterate the EU’s condemnation of the callous violence perpetrated against the people of Myanmar and urge the Myanmar military leaders to stand down from this senseless path. This tragedy must stop.
The EU is working tirelessly with key partners to stop this violence against Myanmar’s own people, to get a proper political process under way and to release all the detainees. We will continue to use the EU’s mechanisms, including sanctions, to target the perpetrators of this violence, and those responsible for turning back the clock on Myanmar’s path of democracy and peace. The perpetrators of these serious human rights violations must be held to account for their shameless acts.