G7 foreign ministers also condemn the crackdown on opponents of the military coup in the country
Violent repression of peaceful protests in Myanmar is unacceptable and those responsible should be punished. The statement was released by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Tuesday morning in a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries.
“We, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union High Representative, strongly condemn the violence used by Myanmar security forces against peaceful protesters”, – the document said. – “The military and police must show maximum restraint and respect human rights and international law. The use of live ammunition against unarmed people is unacceptable. Anyone responsible for suppressing peaceful protests with violence should be held accountable”, – the ministers say.
The authors of the document also condemn the repression of opponents of the military coup in the country, suppression of freedom of speech and “freedom of expression, including through disabling the Internet and draconian legislative changes”. The G7 foreign ministers insist on “lifting the state of emergency” and demand “full humanitarian access” to protect the most vulnerable.
“We remain united in our condemnation of the coup in Myanmar. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained, including State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and continue to support the people of Myanmar in their quest for democracy and freedom”, – the statement stressed.
Since the coup, the UK, Canada and the US have imposed sanctions on some members of Myanmar’s new leadership. The European Union has also expressed its readiness to impose restrictive measures.