US demands full restoration of democratically elected government in Myanmar
The United States has demanded the immediate and full restoration of the democratically elected government in Myanmar and said that America stands with the elected representatives of the Asian nation. To recall, Myanmar's military last week took control of the country for one year and detained top political figures, including de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
US supports people of Burma's right to protest peacefully
State Department Spokesperson Ned Prince told reporters at his daily news conference that the US stands with the people of Burma. He added that they support their right to assemble peacefully, including to protest peacefully in support of the democratically elected government, and the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, to impart information both online and offline.
Why did the military conduct a coup in Myanmar?
The United States, Prince added, is very concerned about the military's recent announcement restricting public gatherings. Notably, the military has accused Suu Kyi's government of not investigating allegations of voter fraud in recent elections. Suu Kyi's party swept that vote and the military-backed party did poorly. The State Election Commission has refuted the allegations.
US looking at policy measures that could potentially be enacted
Prince said the US is taking a very close look at the policy measures that could potentially be enacted should the military not change its course. He also added that they will make sure that whatever they do to hold the military to account for this coup, they don't add to the humanitarian concern of the people of Burma.
Republican leader Mitch McConnell also extended his support
Republican leader Mitch McConnell also extended his support. "Over the weekend thousands of protesters stood up across Burma in defiance of the coup," he said. "For a week now, the military has detained hundreds of civil society leaders and democratically elected officials - some on mysterious or obviously specious charges, and others without charge at all," McConnell said on the Senate floor.
Military's actions were illegitimate from the start, says McConnell
McConnell added that the military's actions were illegitimate from the start, and the treatment of these political prisoners is revealing their disdain for the rule of law. "The public unity of Burma's people in the face of this tyranny, and with the memory of the military's brutal treatment of the protesters in the past, is a powerful display of courage," he added.
'Myanmar people demanding justice and an end to military rule'
"In far-flung cities and towns, members of the country's diverse ethnic groups, from the Burman majority to the Shan and Rohingya minorities, have rallied around the democratically-elected government. They are demanding justice and an end to military rule," McConnell said.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee members introduced resolution condemning the coup
Last week, Senators Todd Young and Ben Cardin, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a resolution condemning the February 1 military coup in Burma. The resolution calls for an end to the military action and for those elected to serve in parliament to resume their duties without impediment.
