[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S487-S488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 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

  Mr. CARDIN (for himself and Mr. Young) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                               S. Res. 35

       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;

[[Page S488]]

       (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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