On the 4th anniversary of the military coup, international communities, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, have issued a strong condemnation of the military junta and declared their continued support alongside the people of Myanmar.
The SAC-M urges international communities to support the nation-building process of Myanmar’s revolutionary forces.
Yangon, February 1, 2025
On the 4th anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, international communities including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union reaffirm their support for the people of Myanmar and stand firm alongside them in rejecting the military dictatorship.
Countries such as Australia, Canada, the European Union, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States have declared their continued support for the people of Myanmar opposing the military junta. Since the coup, Myanmar’s people have lost their rights and democratic hopes, with millions suffering loss of freedom, homes, and lives.
The Myanmar military junta has been severely condemned for its violations of human rights, including gender-based and sexual violence, systematic oppression and discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities, as well as escalating violent acts. Military airstrikes have caused civilian casualties, damaging schools, markets, places of worship, and hospitals. Airstrikes have nearly increased by 25% compared to 2021, with an average of three airstrikes daily. These airstrikes in conflict-free areas highlight the increasing scale of the junta’s violent actions, as stated in the international declaration.
The international community has urged the Myanmar military to immediately reduce violence and allow humanitarian aid to be delivered safely without obstruction. Furthermore, the international community calls for the military to prioritize the protection of civilians and fully comply with international humanitarian and human rights law.
In 2025, the demand for humanitarian assistance has grown by 20% compared to when the coup occurred. Over 19.9 million people, or one-third of the country’s population, need basic humanitarian aid, with an estimated 15.2 million people requiring food assistance. The number of people displaced due to conflict has also increased by nearly 1 million compared to last year, with over 3.5 million people displaced. Furthermore, many have fled Myanmar’s borders due to rising smuggling, drug production, and human trafficking activities, putting Myanmar’s people in greater danger and impacting neighboring countries, which may exacerbate regional instability.
Given the current situation, the international community stresses that this will not lead to long-term benefits for Myanmar or the region. This is a critical time for the Myanmar military to stop its actions, end violence, and restore peace. The international community has called for the release of all political prisoners, including those unjustly detained, and urges inclusive dialogue to address the crisis.
The ASEAN bloc has expressed its continued support for the core principles and five-point consensus and welcomes cooperation between ASEAN and UN special envoys. The international community has been urged to continue supporting the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022).
The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, along with other international groups, reaffirm their solidarity with the people of Myanmar, and will continue to support efforts toward a peaceful, inclusive future. Additionally, with the eventual collapse of Myanmar's military regime, the international community must urgently ensure the protection of civilians and support the nation-building efforts led by Myanmar's resistance. This is the critical call from the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M).
