Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has delivered a sobering assessment of the "dire" situation unfolding in Myanmar, marking five years since the military seized power in a devastating coup.
Deepening Humanitarian Catastrophe
On the fifth anniversary of the 1st February 2021 overthrow of Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government, Cooper warned that Myanmar faces a "deepening crisis" with profound consequences for its civilian population. The brutal civil war that erupted following the military takeover has resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities, widespread displacement of civilians, and extensive destruction of homes across the Southeast Asian nation.
Overturned Democracy and Stolen Freedoms
"Five years on from the military's coup, the people of Myanmar face a deepening crisis," Cooper stated. "By overthrowing Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government, the will of the people was overturned and their political freedom taken away."
The Foreign Secretary emphasised that recent military-run elections were "neither free nor fair," further entrenching the regime's illegitimate control while denying Myanmar citizens their fundamental democratic rights.
UK's Humanitarian Response
Despite the challenging circumstances, Cooper reiterated Britain's commitment to supporting Myanmar's people, revealing that the UK has provided humanitarian aid to more than 1.4 million individuals in the last year alone. Additionally, British support has enabled health services to reach approximately 1.3 million people struggling amidst the conflict.
"Amidst this crisis, the UK remains committed to supporting a stable future for the people of Myanmar," Cooper affirmed, while acknowledging that conditions on the ground "remain dire" with half of Myanmar's children now out of school and women and girls facing persistent violence.
Regional Security Implications
The Foreign Secretary highlighted how Myanmar's instability has created conditions for criminal enterprises to flourish, noting that "crimes that affect us in the UK, like drug production and cyber scams, have flourished" in the power vacuum created by the ongoing conflict.
Calls for Immediate Action
Cooper issued a series of urgent demands to the military regime, calling for an immediate end to airstrikes against civilian populations and unrestricted humanitarian access to affected regions. She further demanded the release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and genuine dialogue towards democratic restoration.
"For the aspirations of the Myanmar people to be met, there is much that still needs to be done," Cooper emphasised. "We continue to urge all parties to protect civilians and call on the military regime to engage in genuine dialogue towards a democratic and peaceful transition."
The Foreign Secretary concluded with a message of solidarity: "Today and always, we stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Myanmar," reinforcing Britain's long-term commitment to supporting Myanmar's journey toward stability and democracy despite the profound challenges that persist five years after the military seized power.
