EU to scale down Myanmar army ties

The European Union and its member countries would review all practical defence cooperation with Myanmar and suspend invitations to commander-in-chief of the armed forces and other senior military officers of the country for their atrocities on the minority Rohingyas in Rakhine that resulted in exodus to Bangladesh.
The EU made the decision on Monday in a meeting of the foreign-minister-level Council of the European Union in Luxemburg, according to a press release of the regional body.
The EU also confirmed its current restrictive measures including an embargo on arms and on equipment that could be sued for internal repression in Myanmar.
The EU council also said that it might consider additional measures if the situation would not improve.
The council expressed deep concern over continuing arson and violence against people and serious human rights violations, including indiscriminate firing, the presence of landmines and sexual and gender based violence.
More than 5,00,000 people, mostly Rohingyas, have fled their homes and sought refuge in Bangladesh, as a result of violence and fear since August 25.
‘When so many people are displaced so quickly this strongly indicates a deliberate action to expel a minority,’ the EU said, adding, ‘this is not acceptable and must end immediately.’
The EU urged the Myanmar military to end its operations and to ensure the protection of all civilians without discrimination and to fully observe international human rights law.
The EU also reiterated its call on the Myanmar government to take all measures to defuse tensions between communities, grant full, safe and unconditional humanitarian access without delay for UN, ICRC and international NGOs.
It also urged all concerned to establish a credible and practical process to enable the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return of all those who fled their homes to their places of origin with swift and full implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, including the crucial issue of citizenship for the stateless Rohingya population.
The EU also stressed the need for a thorough investigation into human rights violations and abuses, including brutal attacks on children.
The EU encouraged Myanmar to enter into a dialogue with its neighbouring countries, in particular Bangladesh, on finding solutions to common concerns, notably the repatriation of refugees to their place of origin, in the spirit of good neighbourly relations. The EU appreciated the constructive role played by Bangladesh under difficult circumstances.
The EU also observed that humanitarian situation of populations affected by conflict in Kachin and Shan States, including 100.000 internally displaced people, is also a matter of great concern.

Source: New Age