Canada’s response to the Rohingya and Myanmar crises

In 2017, in response to a series of coordinated attacks against police outposts by an insurgent group called the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Myanmar security forces launched a disproportionate attack against the Rohingya minority in Rakhine State, precipitating one of the largest mass exoduses in recent history. Since then, more than 770,000 Rohingya have fled to safety in the Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh, to what is now the world’s largest and most congested refugee camp. Including those who arrived before the 2017 attacks, nearly one million Rohingya now live in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, an estimated 600,000 Rohingya remain in Myanmar and face ongoing discrimination and repression from the military regime. This includes the denial of basic rights and freedoms, and it limits their access to essential health services, freedom of movement, pathways to citizenship and livelihood opportunities.

In February 2021, a military coup d’état deposed the democratically elected civilian government in Myanmar. The ensuing political crisis, the regime’s efforts to stifle dissent and opposition, and worsening armed conflicts across the country have triggered a nation-wide humanitarian crisis. This crisis has put the Rohingya’s safe, voluntary and sustainable return from Bangladesh to Myanmar in jeopardy.

The military coup has also led to a deepening political and security crisis, along with widespread human rights abuses throughout Myanmar. The political instability and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are driving an economic crisis. There has been an increase in urban food insecurity, and almost half of Myanmar’s population is at risk of falling into poverty. This is having a disproportionate impact on women and girls.

The crisis-affected populations in Myanmar and the Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh need support.

These grave and interlinked crises represent a human tragedy that demands a sustained and concerted international response.

Canada’s response to the military coup in Myanmar

Canada stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for a peaceful, inclusive and democratic society. Canada has unequivocally condemned the Myanmar military’s illegal seizure of power, its overthrow of the democratically elected civilian government, and its detention of politicians, civil society leaders, journalists, peaceful protestors and human rights defenders. Canada has called for an immediate halt to violence and for the military to commit to genuine inclusive dialogue to resolve the crisis.

Canada has made its position clear, both bilaterally and in conjunction with its international partners. Since the coup occurred, Canada has contributed to coordinated advocacy efforts at the United Nations (UN), G7 and elsewhere to condemn the Myanmar military’s seizure of power and call for the immediate restoration of democratic rule. We have co-sponsored UN Human Rights Council resolutions and UN General Assembly resolutions on the situation, and we have issued several statements at the ministerial level and in the context of the G7. We have also registered our condemnation at a UN Human Rights Council Special Session on Myanmar, in an opening statement at the World Trade Organization’s Trade Policy Review of Myanmar, in an intervention at the UN General Assembly and in a joint Canada-U.K. statement at the International Labour Organization Governing Body meeting.

Canada has welcomed and supported ASEAN engagement on Myanmar and has called for Myanmar to implement the ASEAN Five Point Consensus, which was agreed at the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in April 2021 as the roadmap to resolve the crisis. We continue to support the efforts of the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy to promote genuine and inclusive dialogue among all relevant parties, working toward full implementation of ASEAN’s Five Point Consensus.

Canada also supports the UN’s efforts in Myanmar, particularly those of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar. We stand ready to work with the UN Special Envoy on all her efforts in Myanmar to address the current political crisis there, including the safe, sustainable, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingya asylum seekers.

Recognizing the grave breach of international peace and security and the resulting serious domestic, regional and international crises stemming from the coup, we have imposed targeted sanctions against senior Myanmar military leaders, regime leadership and their financial interests. This includes a unilateral arms embargo and asset freeze. Canada continues to call for the halt of sales and transfers of arms, material, dual-use equipment and technical assistance to Myanmar representatives to stop the flow of military equipment and other resources to the regime.

Canada has also issued a business advisory on Myanmar explaining the legal and reputational risk of business engagement in the country, and has undertaken an assessment of its international assistance program to confirm that no funding has benefited or will benefit the military regime.

We are working with partners to provide vital support to journalists, human rights defenders, civil society activists and democratic actors at risk. We continue to pursue a range of additional measures with partners and allies to advance a long-term and durable solution to this crisis.

Canada recognizes that the coup in Myanmar further exacerbates the challenges facing the Rohingya population both inside and outside Myanmar; prospects for a safe, voluntary, dignified and durable return seem more remote than ever. Canada continues to encourage positive political developments and continues to support efforts to achieve a political solution that will address the root causes of conflict in the country, including the plight of the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities in Myanmar. We continue to carefully listen to the Rohingya and recognize their active role in defining their future as a recognized, respected and safe community. This is a core element of recommendations provided by the 2018 report of the Honourable Bob Rae, Canada’s former Special Envoy to Myanmar, that continues to inform all of our actions. Through sustained diplomatic engagement and targeted international assistance, Canada promotes human rights, respect for diversity, inclusive democracy, and peace and security in Myanmar.

Canada’s response to the crises

In responding to these crises, Canada has played a leadership role, and our concerted efforts continue to have a real, positive effect on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. In 2018, Canada announced a 3-year strategy to respond to the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Despite results achieved from 2018 to 2021, significant challenges remain. Canada has therefore extended its strategy into a second 3-year phase. This phase transitions from crisis-response to advancing durable solutions in Myanmar.

Canada will continue to provide international assistance to meet the needs of those at risk and crisis-affected populations. In Myanmar, these needs are increasing quickly because of the impact of COVID-19 and the military coup. This is having a disproportionate impact on women and girls and is also likely to further weaken social cohesion.

As Canada responds to the global pandemic and resulting economic challenges, striking the appropriate balance between necessary measures to contain the virus and service delivery remains of critical importance.

All at-risk and crisis-affected populations, including women and girls in all their diversity, continue to need access to food, health care and protection. Longer-term development assistance, such as education and skills training, are also essential to helping girls, boys and youth build a future.

The military coup has also eliminated the near- to medium-term prospects for the repatriation to Myanmar of the Rohingya people who fled violence. Canada remains committed to building the conditions for their eventual safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation. At the same time, Canada is addressing the needs of the refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. Canada acknowledges that it is a challenge for Bangladesh to host a significant number of Rohingya people and stands with them to address the situation.

Canada is committed to empowering the Rohingya to speak for their own community and to set out their rights and their needs in their own voice. We continue to advocate for the human rights of Rohingya wherever they reside, including both those living in Cox’s Bazar and those now located on the island of Bhasan Char.

Targeted sanctions

Canada has a robust sanctions regime under the Special Economic Measures Act that has been in place since 2007.

Our response to the Rohingya crisis as well as the political and security crisis in Myanmar includes a commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of targeted sanctions. We continue to review the need for further targeted actions as required and to engage with like-minded partners to ensure a robust and coordinated approach to sanctions.

Related links

• Canada’s strategy to respond to the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh (2018 to 2021)
• Canada’s strategy to respond to the Rohingya and Myanmar crises (2021 to 2024)
• Report of Special Envoy to Myanmar Bob Rae
• Canadian Sanctions Related to Myanmar
• Canada-Bangladesh relations
• Canada-Myanmar relations
• Canada's response to conflict, crises and disasters
• Donation assistance for disasters abroad

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