[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 52 (Friday, March 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E284-E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONDEMNING MILITARY COUP IN BURMA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 2021

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 134, 
Condemning the military coup that took place on February 1, 2021, in 
Burma and the Burmese military detention of civilian leaders, calling 
for the release of all those detained and for those elected to serve in 
Parliament to resume their duties, and for other purposes. I'm proud to 
be an original cosponsor of this important resolution.
  On February 1st the Burmese military shocked the world when it 
launched a coup against the democratically elected government of State 
Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi, declared a national state of emergency, and 
arrested civilian members of the government.
  Since the coup, chaos has gripped the country. The military shut down 
the internet and imposed martial law. The Burmese people, insistent 
that their country continue down the path toward democracy, have taken 
to the streets to protest the military's actions, and the military has 
responded by killing at least 200 civilians, including more than 60 on 
Sunday, March 14th, and arresting thousands.
  As the oldest democracy in the world, the United States must clearly 
and unequivocally condemn the Burmese military's brutal and 
authoritarian crackdown and violence against its own people. Burma has 
made significant progress in transitioning toward democracy in recent 
years, and it is heartbreaking to see this progress squandered in the 
blink of an eye.
  I echo President Biden's call for the Burmese military to immediately 
relinquish power, release detained officials, and refrain from using 
violence against peaceful protesters. I also support President Biden's 
decision to impose sanctions on military leaders in Burma

[[Page E285]]

and freeze $1 billion of their assets that are held in the U.S., 
denying them access to these funds.
  This resolution not only condemns the Burmese military, it sends a 
powerful message that the House of Representatives, the people's house 
in the United States Congress, stands firmly behind the courageous 
people of Burma as they struggle to wrest democracy and freedom from 
the hands of their authoritarian and corrupt military.
  I'm proud to support this resolution and I urge my colleagues to do 
the same.

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