US announces new measures against Myanmar after violent crackdown on coup protests

The United States on Thursday announced new measures against Myanmar, in response to the violent crackdown by security forces on demonstrators who have protested against the February 1 coup in recent weeks.

Specifically, the North American country has tightened controls on Myanmar’s exports by reclassifying it in the same group as other opponents – such as Russia and China – when it comes to the level of scrutiny of any technology or sensitive matter and the restrictions imposed. to any export which may have military use.

The US Secretary of State, Antony blink, said the United States was taking the final steps “in response to the shocking and deadly violence against protesters in Burma.”

“We call for the restoration of democracy in Burma”the US foreign minister wrote on his Twitter account, using Myanmar’s old name.

The Commerce Department said that in addition to the measures already adopted, it is considering other actions “in response to the military coup and the escalation of violence against peaceful protesters.”

The new regulations affect exports to Myanmar’s defense and interior ministries, as well as to two state-owned enterprises, Myanmar Economic Corporation and Myanmar Economic Holding Limited.

State Department spokesperson, Ned Prize, expressed outrage after the death of more protesters at the hands of the junta, which on February 1 toppled the government led by Aung San Suu Kyi after a decade of democracy in the Asian country.

“This latest escalation of violence demonstrates the junta’s total contempt for its own people, for the people of Burma. This is unacceptable, ”Price said. And I add: “The United States will continue to respond with our partners and allies around the world.”

The US spokesperson also said he was “deeply concerned” by the arrests of journalists and reiterated the call for their immediate release.

The Burmese demonstrate again Thursday in the streets of the country despite fear and bloody repression, which killed at least 54 peopleAccording to data from the UN, which called on the police to stop “murdering” the protesters.

The number of injured is believed to be several hundred and there are believed to be many more than the 1,700 arbitrarily detainees that have been reported, given that protests are taking place in 537 different locations across the country, the Human Rights Office added. the UN.

The army “must stop killing and imprisoning demonstrators”, demanded the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet.

“I am also shocked by the attacks recorded against the medical personnel of the emergency services and the ambulances trying to come to the aid of the wounded,” she added.

Human Rights Watch (HRW), for its part, denounced that law enforcement in Myanmar “appears to be trying to cut off the legs of the anti-coup movement with gratuitous violence and sheer violence.”

Richard weir, The organization’s Crisis and Conflict researcher, noted that “the use of lethal force against protesters who have rescued others shows how little security forces fear being tried for their actions.”

The organization Fortify Rights claimed that the military junta which carried out a coup on February 1 end “immediately its deadly attacks across the country against non-violent protesters and return power to the elected government.”

In the same vein, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) has expressed its rejection of the violence deployed by the Burmese security forces, which she describes as “nauseating”. “When is the army going to stop? Are you trying to kill or arrest the 80% of the country who voted in November to expel them from Burmese politics? Asked Charles Santiago, president of the APHR and Malaysian deputy.

Protests continue in the country. In Rangoon, the economic capital, small groups were formed. “We are united,” chanted the demonstrators, protected behind barricades made of old tires, bricks, sandbags, bamboo and barbed wire.

Nearby, merchants tried to sell their wares quickly. “It is dangerous to stay here. The police and the army are also shooting in the streets. Better to go home and go out again at night “a food seller told AFP.

Some protests were dispersed with tear gas and gunshots were heard, according to local media.

Passers-by walked over the head of the painting posters Min Aung Hlaing, stuck to the ground, a ruse to annoy the police.

With information from AFP and EFE

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