[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 27, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2174-S2175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 Burma

  Madam President, with regard to the current situation in Burma, Aung 
San Suu Kyi was handed yet another outrageous, sham sentence by the 
military junta in Burma.

[[Page S2175]]

  For the past year, the leader of Burma's democracy movement and 
thousands of her fellow citizens have been detained while the Tatmadaw, 
which is the army, drags their country violently backward.
  The generals responsible for last year's coup have met a groundswell 
of popular protests with brutality. As Burma's diverse ethnic 
minorities have found historic unity in the cause of democracy, the 
junta has stoked violence and division.
  The Tatmadaw is holding countless citizens of Burma in prolonged 
detention, along with foreign nationals like the Australian economist 
Sean Turnell. Its political prisoners reportedly include dozens--
dozens--of children under the age of 15. And its baseless prosecution 
of Daw Suu Kyi illustrates how long the road ahead is for Burma's 
democracy advocates.
  The military's latest ruling against my friend is just one in an 
absurd list that could carry a total sentence of up to 190 years.
  With every passing day, the junta's ruling generals are showing the 
world exactly what they are afraid of. They fear the people of Burma--
their unity, their resolve, and their devotion to a democratic future. 
I have been proud to stand with Burma's democracy movement throughout 
my career. I have been paying close attention to their plight this past 
year. And I am looking forward to hearing soon from the Biden 
administration about their efforts to help. What sanctions will the 
administration apply to ratchet up the pressure? What additional 
support will they try to provide to the true representatives of the 
people of Burma? What will they do to ensure that restoration of 
democracy in Burma is a top priority for the upcoming ASEAN Summit?
  The leaders and supporters of this brutal coup must be held 
accountable.