[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 35 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 35
Condemning the military coup that took place on February 1, 2021, in
Burma and the Burmese military's detention of civilian leaders, calling
for an immediate and unconditional release of all those detained and
for those elected to serve in parliament to resume their duties without
impediment, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 4, 2021
Mr. Cardin (for himself and Mr. Young) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Condemning the military coup that took place on February 1, 2021, in
Burma and the Burmese military's detention of civilian leaders, calling
for an immediate and unconditional release of all those detained and
for those elected to serve in parliament to resume their duties without
impediment, and for other purposes.
Whereas Burma held general elections on November 8, 2020, that resulted in the
National League for Democracy party securing enough seats to form the
next government, which was set to convene on February 2, 2021;
Whereas, on January 28, 2021, the Union Election Commission rejected allegations
by the military of Burma (the ``Tatmadaw'') that fraud played a
significant role in determining the outcome of the November 2020
elections;
Whereas, on February 1, 2021, the Tatmadaw and its aligned Union Solidarity and
Development Party (``USDP'') conducted a military coup against the
civilian government, resulting in the military illegally detaining State
Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and members of
Parliament, as well as pro-democracy activists from the 88 Generation
and other civil society leaders;
Whereas the Tatmadaw restricted freedom of movement, telecommunications, and the
media, limiting access to information to and from Burma during a
political and public health crisis; and
Whereas senior generals of the Tatmadaw have been sanctioned by the United
States Government for perpetrating gross human rights violations and are
subject to ongoing investigations into their conduct by the
International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) stands with the people of Burma in their ambition for a
genuine democracy, sustainable peace and genuine ethnic
reconciliation, and the realization of fundamental human rights
for all;
(2) calls on the Tatmadaw to--
(A) immediately and unconditionally release all
those detained as a result of the military coup on
February 1, 2021;
(B) immediately restore all forms of
communications, including access to the internet;
(C) remove all impediments to free travel that have
been imposed as a result of the coup, separate from
legitimate travel limits as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic;
(D) return to power all members of the civilian
government elected in the November 8, 2020, elections
and allow them to fulfill their mandate without
impediment;
(E) allow for freedom of expression, including the
right to protest, press freedom, and freedom of
movement; and
(F) allow unfettered reporting from local,
national, and international media;
(3) calls on social media companies, in particular
Facebook, to suspend the accounts of USDP and Tatmadaw military
leaders that have used their platforms to spread
disinformation, fear, and psychological violence;
(4) supports the use of all diplomatic and development
tools to ensure that in conflict contexts vulnerable groups,
including ethnic and religious minorities, as well as all
children, youth, and teachers in educational settings are safe,
and schools and universities are not targeted for attacks or
use by the military; and
(5) calls on the President, the Secretary of State, and the
Secretary of Defense to immediately take all steps necessary
under the coup designation and to--
(A) reinstate and impose new targeted restrictions
aimed at the Tatmadaw, military-owned or controlled
enterprises, and those responsible for the February 1,
2021, coup;
(B) work with the international community,
including at the United Nations Security Council, with
United States allies in the region, and with the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to forcefully
condemn the coup and enact multilateral, targeted
sanctions on the military, military owned businesses,
military partners' business interests, and others
connected to the coup;
(C) enact conditionality on diplomatic, economic,
and security relations with Burma, including using the
voice and vote of the United States at multilateral
development institutions, until all those detained in
the February 1, 2021, coup are released and there has
been a full restoration of civilian-controlled
parliament respecting the November 8, 2020, election
results; and
(D) utilize the United States Government's position
on the United Nations Security Council to bring about
greater international cooperation in the pursuit of
justice and accountability in Burma.
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