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November 26, 2023

Statement on the News Release of Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry regarding theEngagement of the Office of the Special Envoy with Myanmar Stakeholders

Republic of the Union of Myanmar
National Unity Government
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Statement (22/ 2023)
25 November 2023

  1. It has been brought to our attention that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
    Republic of Indonesia released news on the engagement of the Office of Special Envoy
    with stakeholders of Myanmar, led by the government of Indonesia, which took place
    from 20 to 22 November in Jakarta, Indonesia.
  2. As the international community including the United Nations supports the
    ASEAN’s intervention in addressing the Myanmar crisis, the National Unity
    Government has been engaging only with the ASEAN at the “Separate Meeting
    conducted based on Groupings” of the ASEAN. The purpose of those engagements is
    to provide timely updates on the development of the Spring Revolution and to
    accurately and clearly communicate our position to ASEAN.
  3. There has been no engagement whatsoever with any individual, including so-
    called representatives of the illegitimate military junta, neither at any place nor at any point in time.
  4. The National Unity Government acknowledges and comprehends that ASEAN,
    through the Office of Special Envoy, has been making consistent efforts to implement
    the Five-Point Consensus. Upon every encouragement from ASEAN for engagement,
    the National Unity Government unequivocally responds, stating, “Without the
    assurance of ending the military dictatorship and establishing a federal democratic
    union, without the genuine will of the people, spring forces and alliances, and without
    a guarantee of a transitional period where justice is fully upheld, there will be no
    engagement.”
  5. Therefore, the comment stated in the Press Release of Indonesia’s Foreign
    Ministry regarding the possibility of a dialogue solely reflects the view of the Office of
    Special Envoy. We wish to clarify that this comment is unrelated to the National Unity
    Government.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
National Unity Government

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

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International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
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