The United States has made it clear that the Burmese Military regime’s planned election will not be free or fair, over the continuous killing, detention, forcing possible contenders to flee, and continues to inflict brutal violence against its peaceful opponents.
In a Press Briefing on Wednesday, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson of State Department, Vedant Patel who disclosed this, said such so- called elections, held under these conditions, will only serve as a trigger for further violence and instability.
Marking two years ago February 1st, 2021 Burma’s military regime seized power from a democratically elected government, flagrantly rejected the will of Burma’s people, set country on a disastrous path that has killed thousands and displaced over 1.5 million people, and reversed hard‑ fought democratic progress the country achieved over the last decade.
Partel stated further that the United States will continue to promote accountability for the military’s atrocities, including through the support to the UN’s Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar.
“We will also continue to support other international efforts to protect and support vulnerable populations, including Rohingya”, he said.
“The United States imposed sanctions on six individuals and three entities linked to the regime’s effort to generate revenue, procure arms, including the senior leadership of Burma’s ministry of energy, Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, and Burma’s air force.
“As well as an arms dealer, and a family member of a previously- designated business associate of the military. We are also sanctioning the Union Electoral Commission, which the regime has manipulated and deployed to advance its flawed election”, the Deputy said.
He noted that United States welcome the actions taken by its allies and partners, including Canada, the United Kingdom, who also took action, to urge the regime to end the crisis.
“And we look forward to building our cooperation with the UN, ASEAN, and international community to increase diplomatic and economic pressure against the military and in support of a peaceful, democratic, prosperous Burma”, Partel concluded.
Since the military’s coup on February 1, 2021, the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Burma has only grown more dire, with reports indicating nearly 3,000 killed, nearly 17,000 detained, and more than 1.5 million displaced.
The regime’s ongoing scorched-earth campaign continues to inflict harm and claim the lives of innocent people, fueling a worsening armed conflict within Burma and insecurity beyond its borders.
