LONDON, Feb. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
Five years on from the military's coup, the people of Myanmar face a deepening crisis.
By overthrowingAung San SuuKyi's democraticallyelected government,the will of the peoplewasoverturned and their political freedom taken away.
Amidst this crisis, the UK remainscommitted to supportingastable future for the people of Myanmar.
In the past year we have supported over 1.4 million people with humanitarianassistanceand provided 1.3 million people with essential health services. We will continue to stand by those most affected.
Yet conditions on the ground remain dire.
Half of Myanmar's children arenowout ofschool, whilewomenand girls facepersistentviolence.
Crimes that affectus inthe UK,like drug production and cyberscams,haveflourished.
The recentmilitary-run elections were neither free nor fair.
For the aspirations of the Myanmar people to be met, there is much that still needs to be done.
We continue to urge all parties to protect civilians.
We call on the military regimeto end its airstrikes;toallow unhindered humanitarian access;torelease all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi,andtoengage in genuine dialogue towards ademocraticand peaceful transition.
Today and always, we stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Myanmar.
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