France condemns military coup in Burma

Burma/Myanmar – Reply by M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, to a question in the National Assembly

Paris, 2 February 2021

Thank you for asking this question and strongly alerting the nation’s elected representatives and the public about the situation in Burma, which is extremely serious.

The President, Mr Win Myint, has been arrested, as have Ms Aung San Suu Kyi and other figures. This coup d’état is unacceptable, I’ve condemned it myself, you were kind enough to echo me, and we’re demanding that the results of the election held on 8 November 2020 – which was the culmination of a lengthy democratic process that gave Ms Aung San Suu Kyi an absolutely spectacular result – must be ratified. The Burmese people expressed themselves, expressed themselves democratically, and they must be heard.

So at this very moment, at our request, the Security Council is meeting in New York, with the support of the Europeans, and I think the message that will emerge from that meeting will be one of great firmness. At European level, we initiated actions against the Burmese military authorities as early as two years ago, with severe sanctions against certain army officers who had organized human rights violations against the Rohingya people. And I have to say on this, to avoid any confusion, that I’m convinced – like you, I believe – that the response to the Rohingya crisis must firstly involve the success of the democratic process in Burma.

That’s why if, by any chance, the military authorities don’t reverse their coup d’état, the issue of new measures will be taken up at European level, in the coming days, as a matter of urgency./.

Burma/Myanmar - Statement by M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs

1 February 2021

M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, calls for the immediate, unconditional release of Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor, Mr Win Myint, President of the Republic, and all government and civil society figures arrested on the eve of the opening of the inaugural session of the parliament elected on 8 November 2020.

These arrests, along with the transfer of legislative, executive and judicial powers to the army, unacceptably undermine the democratic process embarked on around a decade ago. France calls for the results of the 8 November 2020 election to be strictly respected and stands resolutely alongside the Burmese people in the desire for democracy and freedom which they expressed at the ballot box.

France will continue to provide its support to all those working for greater democracy, lasting peace and economic development which does not discriminate and benefits everyone.

Burma/Myanmar – Press briefing by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (excerpt)

Paris, 29 January 2021

Q. – What is France’s response to the risk of a coup d’état in Burma?

THE SPOKESPERSON – France is very closely monitoring developments in the situation in Myanmar. Together with its European and international partners, it reaffirms its support for the democratic transition in Myanmar. It calls on all actors, including the army, to abide by the results of the elections that have just taken place and opposes any attempt to jeopardize the democratic transition.

It hopes that the parliamentarians who were democratically elected on 8 November 2020 will be able to meet securely and unhindered next week in accordance with Myanmar’s Constitution and that they will be able to move ahead with the election of assembly speakers and the President.

France will continue to support all those who strive for greater democracy, lasting peace and economic development without discrimination and to everyone’s benefit./.