Topic: 2025 – Situation in Myanmar
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: PJ Valeros
Special Political Committee
The Situation in Myanmar
Federal Republic of Germany
PJ Valeros
Forest Hills Eastern High School
The Situation in Myanmar is of utmost importance and needs to be resolved in the near future. In 1948, the former British colony of Burma gained independence, and the military junta seized power in 1962 through a coup. Due to the ethnic and religious divisions within the nation, the junta has had conflict with many of the ethnic groups to consolidate its power. Since the National League for Democracy party won 3 democratic elections, the junta feared the party as a rival in the long term and seized power once again in 2021 through a coup; it detained the senior leadership and forced the party into hiding. Many protests broke out in response to this, but the junta continued to fight and attempt to control the people. In response to this, the democratic resistance grew, and recently began to fight through coalitions of ethnic armed groups in the civil war. The UN states that “it is imperative that the military immediately stop all attacks on civilians and civilian objects.” The UN urges Myanmar to focus on instilling democracy and the rule of law for its citizens. As conditions continue to worsen, the UNCHR is urging all neighboring states to grant Myanmar refugees asylum and advocates for strengthening strategic partnerships with local NGOs and other organization to provide relief and care for those displaced by this conflict.
The Federal Republic of Germany recognizes the dire circumstances and wants to help. In 1954, Germany began to establish diplomatic relations with Myanmar. Primarily, Germany assisted in the development of Myanmar as a nation. However, in 1988, the relationship was negatively affected after the atrocities committed by the military. Bilateral relations began to strengthen again in 2011 but were cut short after the ethnic cleansing of the muslim Rohingya population in 2017. The Federal Republic of Germany also condemns the coup of the military junta in 2021 and advocates for an end to the violence. As a part of the EU, Germany agrees with Resolution 2669 made by the UN Security Council on the Rohingya Muslims, even stating that the resolution could have made more progress in addressing the flow of weapons to the Myanmar military. In short, the Federal Republic of Germany sides with the people of Myanmar and fully supports peace and democracy as well as respect for human rights and individual freedoms. In addition, Germany contributed 106 million euros for humanitarian assistance to improve the situation of the Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine state of Myanmar and the refugees currently situated in Bangladesh. ASEAN’s efforts to keep the situation in Myanmar at an international level are fully supported by Germany.
The Federal Republic of Germany encourages any resolutions that call for the peace and liberation of the people of Myanmar, and condemns the atrocities caused by the military junta coup of seizing power in 2021. Germany’s position as an advocate of democracy influences its decisions to promote the rights of all of the citizens of Myanmar, including the ethnic and religious minorities such as the Rohingya Muslims, guaranteeing the rights of marginalized minorities through empowerment. Although Germany has contributed significant aid to Myanmar, Germany also ensures that no other countries will supply Myanmar with weapons to fight through UN-sanctioned embargoes to de-escalate the crisis as quickly as possible. UN economic sanctions can also be used to provide humanitarian aid to citizens in need, if possible, and countries such as the Federal Republic of Germany can also attempt to donate as well.
