The US House of Representatives passed a resolution on Friday that condemns the February 1 military coup in Myanmar and the subsequent prosecution of civilian leaders and protesters.
The House of Representatives passed Resolution 134 (H.R. 134) in a 398-14 vote.
The resolution condemns the military coup and calls on Myanmar’s armed forces to release all detained individuals, return all toppled officials to power, refrain from mass evictions and provide freedom of expression, including the right to protest and freedom of movement.
The resolution also calls on US President Joe Biden to impose sanctions on the Myanmar military and implement other restrictions on diplomatic, economic and security relations with the country until a parliament is restored and all individuals detained in connection with the coup are released.
On February 1, the Myanmar military overthrew the government and detained a number of senior officials, including President Win Myint, saying they engaged in election fraud. According to the United Nations, nearly 200 people have been killed and thousands detained in subsequent protests against the coup.
Earlier, US President Joe Biden has held a meeting with the permanent representatives from the UN Security Council and called on them to urgently act on Myanmar, Ethiopia, Libya, Syria, and Yemen, the White House said in a statement.
“Thanking U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield for her stewardship as the United States holds the Presidency of the Council this month, the President also noted the need for the UNSC action on a range of regional crises, including those in Burma [Myanmar], Ethiopia, Libya, Syria, and Yemen,” the statement said.
During the meeting, Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to “values-based global leadership and re-engagement with international institutions,” especially the United Nations.
“The President reiterated the importance of working with global partners and through multilateral institutions to end the pandemic, improve global health security, and ensure that our nations drive an equitable and sustainable economic recovery,” the statement noted.
The US leader also expressed the country’s intention to formally join the UN Group of Friends on Climate and Security.
