Statement by the Spokesperson on the recent escalation of violence in Myanmar

In the violent attacks against Border Guard Police posts in northern Rakhine State on 9 October 2016 and the ensuing security operations both civilians and security personnel were killed, and thousands of people were displaced and lost their livelihoods.

For the European Union, the announcement by the Government of Myanmar of the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the recent violence in Rakhine State is a welcome one.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Stavros Lambrinidis, in meetings with the State Counsellor and the Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces on 22-23 November 2016, reiterated the call for the immediate resumption of humanitarian activities and the setting up of an independent and credible investigation into both the attacks and the subsequent actions.