United Kingdom on the situation in Myanmar - Security Council Media Stakeout

Описание: Informal comments to the media by James Kariuki, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, on the situation in Myanmar.

“Nearly five years since the Myanmar military overturned the democratically elected government, the UK remains deeply concerned at the ongoing violence,” said James Kariuki, the United Kingdom’s acting permanent representative to the United Nations.

Speaking to reporters outside the Security Council, Kariuki said Council members would hear briefings from the ASEAN special envoy, Osman Hashim, and the UN special envoy, Julie Bishop, nearly five years after Myanmar’s military overthrew the country’s democratically elected government.

He said targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop, condemning a recent airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine state that killed more than 30 civilians.

“The humanitarian situation in Myanmar also remains catastrophic,” Kariuki said, noting that more than 16 million people are expected to require lifesaving assistance in 2026.
He said the United Kingdom had provided more than 100 million dollars in assistance this fiscal year but stressed that aid could only have real impact if humanitarian access is granted.

Turning to Myanmar’s planned elections, Kariuki said any credible vote would require an end to violence and dialogue among all parties, warning there were no indications the polls would be seen as free or fair.

“Elections under current circumstances risk provoking further violence and make a long-term solution more elusive,” he said.

Kariuki reiterated Britain’s support for ASEAN’s central role in efforts to resolve the crisis, saying the UK stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and would continue to keep the situation on the Security Council’s agenda.