G-7 condemns military coup in Myanmar

Myanmar’s military declared a one-year state of emergency on Feb 1, 2021. PHOTO: NYTIMES

LONDON (REUTERS) - The Group of Seven largest developed economies on Wednesday (Feb 3) condemned the military coup in Myanmar and said it was deeply concerned about the fate of detained political leaders such as State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi.

"We, the G-7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are united in condemning the coup in Myanmar," they said in a statement.

"We are deeply concerned by the detention of political leaders and civil society activists, including State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and targeting of the media."

The G-7 foreign ministers called on the military to end the state of emergency and allow unrestricted humanitarian access to support the most vulnerable.

"We call upon the military to immediately end the state of emergency, restore power to the democratically-elected government, to release all those unjustly detained and to respect human rights and the rule of law," the G-7 said.

"The November election results must be respected and Parliament should be convened at the earliest opportunity."

Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry on Wednesday rejected the suggestion that it supported or gave tacit consent to Monday's military coup in Myanmar.

"Relevant theories are not true. As Myanmar's friendly neighbouring country, we wish that all sides in Myanmar can appropriately resolve their differences, and uphold political and social stability," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in response to a question at a daily media briefing in Beijing.

During a scheduled visit to the Myanmar capital last month, the Chinese government's top diplomat met with officials including the country's military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who this week seized power in the coup.

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