Myanmar – Statement by Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (29 March 2021)

I reiterate, in the strongest terms, France’s condemnation of the Burmese security forces’ brutal crackdown and the serious crimes they are continuing against the people.

On Saturday the Burmese security forces reached a new level of indiscriminate, deadly violence by again using their weapons against the people, killing more than 100, including very young children. On Armed Forces Day itself they undermined their reason to exist, which is to protect the people. Since then, the death toll has risen again and Burma is plunged further every day into a profound tragedy.

Now that sanctions have already been adopted with our European and international partners, signalling our strong condemnation of the brutal crackdown, I urge all the Burmese forces to overcome the impasse into which they are leading their country, end the violence, unconditionally and immediately release all political prisoners and resume the path of dialogue and of restoring civil and democratic order.

France will relentlessly continue its active efforts alongside its European and international partners in support of the Burmese people’s legitimate aspirations.