2 March 2026 13:50 UTC · UK Government · GOV.UK Speech · Source · Email X Link

UK Government says Myanmar human rights situation worsens

Key points

Calls for rapid, full, safe, unimpeded humanitarian access
Says recent military-run elections were not free or fair

TL;DR

UK expresses deep concern over escalating violence, humanitarian obstruction, and shortages in Myanmar, especially in Rakhine.
UK reports it has provided over £115m to communities in Rakhine since 2017 and calls for unimpeded humanitarian access.
UK states recent military-run elections were not free or fair, reiterates support for the ASEAN Five Point Consensus and UN envoys, and vows to press for accountability as UN Security Council penholder.

Original text

Madam Vice President, We are grateful for the High Commissioner’s update. We remain deeply concerned by the worsening human rights situation in Myanmar. Violence continues to escalate, including through indiscriminate attacks on civilians, punitive village burnings and forced recruitment. The military’s obstruction of humanitarian assistance has pushed communities to the brink of catastrophe. Severe shortages of medicine and food place millions at risk. Rohingya, Rakhine and other minority groups bear the brunt of these actions. Since 2017, the UK has provided over £115m in assistance to communities in Rakhine. But this support alone is not enough. We call on the military to allow rapid, full, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access to alleviate the dire situation, particularly in Rakhine. Madam Vice President, the recent military-run elections were neither free nor fair. They do not present a solution to the crisis. We reiterate our support to the ASEAN Five Point Consensus, and the work of the ASEAN and UN Special Envoys. We urge all parties, especially the Myanmar military, to cease hostilities, respect international law, protect civilians, and release all those arbitrarily detained. As penholder at the UN Security Council, the UK is committed to maintaining a spotlight on the crisis and to pressing for accountability in all UN fora. Thank you.

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Rakhine (myanmar)