Ottawa, Ontario
June 7, 2017
Prime Minister
Trudeau expressed condolences for the tragic loss of life after a Myanmar
military plane carrying servicemen and their families crashed near Dawei earlier
today.
The two leaders
discussed Myanmar’s transition to democracy and Canada’s support for ongoing
reforms in Myanmar. The Prime Minister encouraged Myanmar to accelerate its
efforts to uphold human rights, particularly with respect to women, youth, and
protecting ethnic and religious minorities, including the Rohingya. They also
discussed good governance, development cooperation, humanitarian issues,
economic growth, and regional security.
Following the
meeting, Prime Minister Trudeau announced $8.8 million in support for
humanitarian assistance and the advancement of peace and stability in Myanmar.
These contributions will help protect human rights, support peacebuilding, and
promote women’s participation in the national peace process. They will also
support a range of life-saving services, including emergency food assistance,
shelter and health care, to vulnerable populations.
Canada supports
Myanmar’s ongoing efforts to secure an inclusive and lasting peace after
decades of civil war. Since 2010, the Government of Myanmar has taken steps
towards democratization, economic liberalization and national reconciliation.
Quote
“Canada’s ties with
Myanmar grow every day, and we are committed to support this country as its
people progress towards true peace and stability. We encourage an inclusive
peace process that respects human rights and meets the needs of all people in
Myanmar, especially those of traditionally vulnerable populations, including
ethnic and religious minorities, women and children.”
—Rt. Hon. Justin
Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick
Facts
Canada and Myanmar
established diplomatic relations when the Southeast Asian country became
independent in 1948.
Since 2013, Canada
has disbursed over $95 million to Myanmar in official development assistance.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
spent more than 15 years in detention from 1989 to 2010. She was awarded a
Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 in recognition for her non-violent struggle for
democracy and human rights.
In November 2015,
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was democratically elected. She was subsequently nominated
State Counsellor of theRepublic of the Union of Myanmar and is now leading the
ongoing reforms and the peace process in her country.
She is one of just
six people to receive honorary Canadian citizenship. The others are Raoul
Wallenberg, Nelson Mandela, the 14th Dalai Lama, the Aga Khan, and Malala
Yousafzai.
Related
product
Backgrounder:
Funding to advance peace, stabilization and humanitarian assistance in Myanmar:
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2017/06/07/funding-advance-peace-stabilization-and-humanitarian-assistance-myanmar
Associated
links
Canada-Myanmar
relations: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/burma-birmanie/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/index.aspx?lang=eng
Canadian
international assistance to Myanmar: http://www.international.gc.ca/development-developpement/countries-pays/burma-birmanie.aspx?lang=eng
Joint Peace Fund: https://www.jointpeacefund.org/
Peace Support Fund –
Gender, Peace and Security Funding Window: http://www.peacesupportfund.org/gpswindow.html
The Peace and
Stabilization Operations Program: http://international.gc.ca/world-monde/world_issues-enjeux-mondiaux/psop.aspx?lang=eng&_ga=2.243603461.1672710386.1496351892-2097045564.1496351892
Source: http://bit.ly/2she1zE
PM Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau on twitter
Today, I met with
Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss democracy, human rights, and the protection of
minorities in Myanmar: http://bit.ly/2she1zE
Please read here
about related topics, hundreds of people’s comments exist from all over the
world. https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/872590446299631618