Joint statement: Four years on from the Military Coup in Myanmar

January 31, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

“Today marks 4 years since the Myanmar military regime overthrew the democratically elected government in Myanmar, creating one of the largest crises in the Indo-Pacific. Since the coup, the people of Myanmar remain subject to military rule that has deprived many of their rights, democratic aspirations and, for thousands, their liberty and their lives.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the Myanmar military regime’s escalating violence harming civilians, including human rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence, and systematic persecution and discrimination against all religious and ethnic minorities. The military’s airstrikes are killing civilians, destroying schools, markets, places of worship and medical facilities. With almost 25-fold increase airstrikes since 2021, this represents an average of 3 airstrikes per day. The rise in airstrikes in areas with no active conflict has marked a clear escalation by the military.

“We call on the Myanmar military regime to immediately de-escalate violence, ensure unhindered and safe humanitarian access across the country, and we urge all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.

“As of 2025, humanitarian needs have increased 20-fold since the coup. Over 1 third of the population—19.9 million people—are now in need of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. An estimated 15.2 million people are in need of food assistance, and cases of preventable diseases are on the rise. 

“Increasing needs and ongoing conflict have displaced up to 3.5 million people internally—an increase of nearly 1 million in the last year.  Many more people are forced to flee across Myanmar’s borders. Rising transnational crime, including narcotics production and trafficking, scam centres and human trafficking, harm the people of Myanmar and affect neighbouring countries, risking instability in the broader region.

“The current trajectory is not sustainable for Myanmar or the region. Now is the time for the Myanmar military regime to immediately change course. We strongly urge the Myanmar military regime to cease violence, including harming civilians and civilian infrastructure, release all political prisoners and engage in genuine and inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders. These are essential first steps towards any peaceful, democratic transition reflecting the will of Myanmar’s people.

“We reiterate our support for the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Five-Point Consensus, including the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy, in addressing the Myanmar and resultant refugee crisis. We strongly welcome collaboration between the ASEAN and United Nations (UN) Special Envoys. We call on the international community to continue to support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022). We underline the need for accountability for all atrocities committed in Myanmar; human rights must be safeguarded, and violations and abuses must be prevented.

“We will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and support their vision for an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future.”

Signed by Australia, Canada, the European Union, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States