Biden Threatens Myanmar Coup Perpetrators with Sanctions
The US President, expressing regret over the reversal of democracy in Myanmar, threatened Myanmar’s coup leaders with decisive punitive measures. He called on the international community to stand up for the freedom of citizens and officials detained by the military.
Joe Biden, in response to the military coup in Myanmar, called for an immediate review of sanctions laws in the United States and appropriate measures against the coup perpetrators. He said that the United States will defend democracy wherever it comes under attack.
The US President, by issuing a statement, called for a decisive response from the international community to Myanmar’s coup and pressure on the military to relinquish power, release civil activists and detained political officials, lift communication restrictions, and stop intimidating ordinary citizens.
Biden said: “We are united with all our allies and partners in the region and around the world in supporting democracy and the rule of law in Myanmar.”
He also threatened that those responsible and culpable for political unrest and the military coup in Myanmar would be held accountable. Biden condemned the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, the government leader, and described the military’s action as “a direct assault on the rule of law and democracy.”
In Biden’s statement issued Monday afternoon by the White House, it stated: “In a democracy, no one has the right to distort the results of legitimate elections by resorting to force.”
Jennifer Psaki, the White House press spokesperson, in response to a question about whether Biden’s remarks also include China, said these remarks are directed at all countries in the region. Psaki had said in initial reactions that if Myanmar’s government leaders are not released as soon as possible, necessary decisions will be made against the coup perpetrators.
Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, has also called for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar’s government and political officials.
Since Monday morning, the Myanmar military has declared an emergency by detaining Suu Kyi and the country’s president. Currently, all communication networks with Myanmar, including the internet, mobile phones, and telephone lines, have been cut off, and even television programs have been interrupted. The National League for Democracy party (NLD), on behalf of Suu Kyi, has called on people to resist the military.
The military does not accept the results of November’s elections, which were accompanied by the victory of the National League for Democracy party, and has called them fraudulent. The coup leader is General Min Aung Hlaing, commander of Myanmar’s military.
Myanmar in Southeast Asia has a population of 50 million. Since declaring independence from Britain in 1948, this country has been under military dictatorship and military coups for nearly five decades.
Source: DW
