Myanmar–United Kingdom relations

Myanmar–United Kingdom relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between Myanmar (formerly Burma) and the United Kingdom. Myanmar has an embassy in Mayfair, London, whilst the United Kingdom operates an embassy in Yangon.

Myanmar–United Kingdom relations

Myanmar
United Kingdom

History
Main article: British rule in Burma

Myanmar was ruled by the British Empire from 1824 to 1948 and several wars were fought between the colonial power and Burmese rebels seeking independence. Myanmar eventually achieved independence from British rule on 4 January, 1948, which is celebrated annually as Independence Day in Myanmar.

Recent history

The UK has raised concerns with Myanmar about the Rohingya genocide with then British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt raising the issue with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi during a state-visit in 2018. The UK has supported United Nations fact finding missions to Myanmar to investigate crimes against humanity, and has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution to put a timeline on Myanmar allowing the return of more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees from neighbouring Bangladesh.[1][2]

See also: 2021 Myanmar coup d'état and 2021 Myanmar protests

Relations between Myanmar and the UK have greatly deteriorated since the coup d'état on 1 February 2021, when democratically elected leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were overthrown and detained by the Tatmadaw. The UK government strongly condemned the coup and called for a swift return to civilian rule. The UK placed sanctions on several Myanmar junta officials, including Defence Minister General Mya Tun Oo, in response to the coup.[3]

Myanmar recalled its Ambassador to the United Kingdom Kyaw Zwar Minn on 9 March, 2021, after he publicly called for the release of jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. He refused to return to Myanmar citing safety concerns.[4] On 7 April, 2021, Minn was locked out of the Embassy in London by a military attaché and was forced to sleep in his car overnight. He was replaced by his deputy, Chit Win. The British government acknowledged the dismissal of Minn, however they condemned the "bullying military regime" in response. [5]

Diplomatic missions
See also: Embassy of Myanmar, London
Embassy of Myanmar in London

The current Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Myanmar is Dan Chugg, who has been in that role since 2018,[6] while the current Ambassador of Myanmar to the United Kingdom is Chit Win, who was appointed by the State Administration Council in April 2021.

See also

References
  1. "UK announces support for Rohingya Muslims". www.aa.com.tr.
  2. Nichols, Michelle (December 17, 2018). "U.N. Security Council mulls Myanmar action; Russia, China boycott talks". Reuters – via www.reuters.com.
  3. "Myanmar coup: UK imposes sanctions on three generals". BBC News. February 18, 2021.
  4. "Myanmar recalls ambassador in UK after he called for release of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi". Sky News. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  5. "Myanmar's UK envoy says military attache has 'occupied' embassy". BBC News. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  6. "Change of Her Majesty´s Ambassador to Burma in May 2018". Foreign & Commonwealth Office. 28 February 2018.
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