CANBERRA, 8 March, 2021 (TON): Defense cooperation with Myanmar has been suspended by Australia and is again directing its humanitarian aid because of the military dominance and detention of an Australian national.

On Monday, the Australian FM Marise Payne said that “Australian diplomats and relatives had only been able to contact economic policy adviser Sean Turnell twice by phone since he was detained in early February.”

 She described the access as very limited consular support.

“We believe Professor Turnell has been arbitrarily detained along with senior members of the Myanmar government including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, including President Win Myint,” Payne told media.

She added, “We do not accept the conditions of his detention and the reasons for his detention. We seek a return to democracy. We seek absolutely the cessation of any armed violence against unarmed peaceful protesting civilians. And in everything we are doing, we are seeking Professor Turnell’s release.”

Australia has also announced to suspend a defense training program with Myanmar of about 1.5 million Australian dollars in worth.

However,  Australia has not fully withdrawn from lending a helping hand to Myanmar but has decided to restrict its humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable and needy in Myanmar including Rohingyas and other ethnic minorities rather than the government authorities and government-related entities.  

 “I assume that we are going more softly than otherwise at the moment until Sean is returned to Australia,” she added.