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CONDEMNING MILITARY COUP IN BURMA
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (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.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 134
Whereas the military of Burma (hereinafter referred to as the ``Tatmadaw'') held power in Burma between 1962 and 2011;
Whereas provisions in the 2008 Constitution of Burma, written by the Tatmadaw, allocate 25 percent of parliamentary seats to the Tatmadaw, conferring powers on the Tatmadaw that have been used to suppress basic rights, including freedoms of expression, assembly, and association;
Whereas, in 2010, Burma conducted its first election, which was neither free nor fair, under the new Constitution, and which was boycotted by the National League for Democracy
(NLD);
Whereas Burma conducted elections in November 2015, in which the NLD came to power;
Whereas Burma's November 8, 2020, elections resulted in the NLD securing enough seats in Parliament to form the next government, notwithstanding the disenfranchisement of more than 1,500,000 voters, mostly from ethnic minority communities in Kachin, Karen, Mon, Rakhine, Shan, and Chin states;
Whereas the Tatmadaw conducted a coup against the civilian government on February 1, 2021, hours before Parliament was to convene in a new session;
Whereas the Tatmadaw claimed they had evidence of parliamentary election fraud perpetrated by the NLD and Burma's Union Election Commission, an allegation that contradicted the judgment of several independent election monitoring organizations that the electoral process and outcome were credible despite minor irregularities;
Whereas the Tatmadaw has detained unlawfully State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other leaders of the NLD, as well as prodemocracy activists from the 88 Generation and other civil society leaders;
Whereas the Tatmadaw has charged State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi with importing walkie-talkies illegally and President Win Myint with violating prohibitions on gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas the Tatmadaw has declared a state of emergency until new elections are held in one year;
Whereas the Tatmadaw has restricted freedom of movement, telecommunications, and the media, limiting access to information to and from Burma during a political and public health crisis;
Whereas, on January 31, 2021, the Secretary-General of the United Nations spokesperson released the following condemnation of the coup, which reads, in part, ``The Secretary-General strongly condemns the detention of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other political leaders on the eve of the opening session of Myanmar's new Parliament. He expresses his grave concern regarding the declaration of the transfer of all legislative, executive and judicial powers to the military. These developments represent a serious blow to democratic reforms in Myanmar.'';
Whereas, on February 1, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., condemned the coup in a statement that read, in part,
``The military's seizure of power in Burma, the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials, and the declaration of a national state of emergency are a direct assault on the country's transition to democracy and the rule of law.'';
Whereas protests opposing the coup have swept Burma;
Whereas the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 1091 on December 13, 2018, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the atrocities committed against the Rohingya by the Tatmadaw and security forces beginning in August 2017 constituted crimes against humanity and genocide; and
Whereas the United States has sanctioned Tatmadaw officials previously, including Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing, for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya, and the International Court of Justice is investigating the Tatmadaw's conduct: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns the military coup that took place on February 1, 2021;
(2) stands with the people of Burma in their ambition for sustainable peace, a genuine democracy, and the realization of human rights for all, including for ethnic minorities whose human rights have been violated repeatedly and who have been disenfranchised historically;
(3) condemns any attacks on civilians and supports the use of all diplomatic and development tools to ensure that civilians are safe during conflict;
(4) calls on the Tatmadaw to--
(A) release all those currently detained arbitrarily as a result of the February 1st coup;
(B) restore all forms of communications, including internet services;
(C) remove all impediments to free travel that have been imposed as a result of the coup, apart from legitimate travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic;
(D) return to power all members of the civilian government;
(E) allow for freedom of expression, including the right to protest, press freedom, and freedom of movement;
(F) allow unfettered reporting from local, national, and international media; and
(G) refrain from mass evictions; and
(5) calls on the President of the United States and the Secretary of State to--
(A) encourage both the return to power of all members of the civilian government and, subsequently, constitutional reforms to address the power conferred to the Tatmadaw in Parliament and the disenfranchisement of ethnic minorities in Burma;
(B) reinstate sanctions and impose new restrictions aimed at the Tatmadaw and those responsible for the February 1st coup;
(C) work with the international partners and multilateral institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, to condemn the coup and enact multilateral, targeted sanctions on the military, military-owned businesses, including the Myanmar Economic Corporation and Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited, and others connected to the coup, including an international arms embargo;
(D) coordinate with international partners and allies, especially those with economic investments in Burma, with respect to planned economic consequences for the coup and ensuring those consequences are tailored to avoid impacting Burmese civilians;
(E) ensure that targeted sanctions allow all necessary exemptions to permit the delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in need;
(F) ensure that United States-based social media companies, including Facebook, not allow their platforms to be used as vehicles for disinformation campaigns or advocating violence against the Burmese people;
(G) implement restrictions on diplomatic, economic, and security relations with Burma until a full restoration of civilian-controlled Parliament, and release of those detained in connection with the coup; and
(H) direct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to bring about greater international cooperation to pursue justice and accountability in Burma.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 134.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Levin for sponsoring this resolution, which condemns the military coup that occurred in Burma on February 1, 2021.
It has been more than 45 days since the Burmese military, also known as the Tatmadaw, arrested several democratically-elected members of government, including the President Win Myint, and the State Counselor, Aung San Suu Kyi, and declared a year-long state of emergency, and nullified the results of Burma's November 8, 2020, elections.
Despite Tatmadaw claims of election fraud, several independent election monitoring organizations found that the electoral process and outcome were credible, even despite minor irregularities.
Since the coup took place, we have seen thousands of protesters take to the streets to make sure that their voices were heard; voices in opposition to the coup and in support of democracy. And as those protests continued, we have seen security forces increasingly use violence in an attempt to quell the demonstrations.
The U.N. estimates that 149 people have been killed since the coup occurred on February 1. Fifty-seven people were killed this past weekend alone.
It is imperative that democracies around the world speak out in condemnation of this coup and the arrest of democratically-elected government officials. It is vital that we speak in support of democracy, of all of those members of civil society who have been arrested, and those in Burma who are protesting for the restoration of democracy. And it is important that we make it clear to the Tatmadaw, including through additional targeted sanctions that leverage sources of income for the military, that these actions are absolutely unacceptable.
We are sadly, in this body, all too familiar with the rippling effects of attempts to undo democratic elections. We have an obligation to speak up and speak out wherever democracy is threatened.
Madam Speaker, this is a very important resolution. I support it and urge my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, the House has always come together to condemn human rights violations around the world, whether it is in Rwanda or Xinjiang; or as we discuss here today, in Burma.
Only 3 years ago, the House overwhelmingly passed Mr. Chabot's resolution to label the Burmese military's crimes against the Rohingya Muslim population as genocide.
Unfortunately, we are once again facing shocking violence in Burma as a pro-democracy movement pushes back against the recent military coup. Hundreds are reported dead, with many more injured. And more than 2,000 people have been arrested, simply for peacefully asking for freedom. America cannot stand idly and silently by while atrocities like this happen.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. With over 60 Republican and Democrat cosponsors, this resolution, and this issue, is truly bipartisan. I want to thank Mr. Levin for introducing this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), a valued member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and author of this important resolution.
Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Meeks and Ranking Member McCaul for their support in bringing this resolution to the floor today.
Last month, the Burmese military, Tatmadaw, staged a coup and quashed Burma's fragile experiment with democracy.
Burma had struggled during that time to enfranchise its minority population, and to respect their human rights. The genocide of the Rohingya is perhaps the best known example, but it is far from the only one.
In fact, when Burma's November 8, 2020, elections resulted in the National League for Democracy winning an overwhelming victory and securing enough seats in Parliament to form the next government, it was notwithstanding the disenfranchisement of more than 1,500,000 voters, mostly from ethnic minority communities in Kachin, Karen, Mon, Rakhine, Shan, and Chin states.
The resolution before us today condemns the February 1st coup unequivocally and calls on the Tatmadaw to free all those they have detained arbitrarily and return members of the civilian government to power.
We are considering this resolution at a critical time. More than 2,100 people have been arrested, charged, or sentenced in relation to the coup. The military and police have been ordered to fire on protesters. More than 200 people have been killed in cold blood in these violent crackdowns.
On top of mobile data blackouts, there is now concern that the Tatmadaw could cut off WiFi as well, and even reports of fiber lines being cut, which would cut off access to the internet altogether.
Clearly, there is no time to waste. The junta's rule must end. But it will not be enough simply to return to the status quo ante. This resolution calls on President Biden and Secretary Blinken to encourage not just the return to power of the civilian government, but also, subsequently, constitutional reforms to address the undemocratic power reserved for the Tatmadaw in Parliament, and the disenfranchisement of Burma's ethnic minorities.
Democracy is something we must ever defend and nurture. That is why we who believe that all people are created equal and must be treated as such, whether here in America or anywhere else around the globe, must speak up, not only for full civilian control in Burma, but also for democracy, not for some, but for all.
And so this resolution makes clear that Congress stands with all of the people of Burma in their ambition for sustainable peace, a genuine democracy, and the realization of human rights for all.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Ranking Member Chabot for authoring this resolution with me, as well as Subcommittee Chairman Bera, Chairman Meeks, Ranking Member McCaul, and all of my colleagues who have cosponsored this important resolution, which I am proud to say, on a completely bipartisan basis, we passed through the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding, and I thank the chairman for his leadership.
I would especially like to thank Mr. Levin for his resolution condemning the military coup in Burma, and calling for release of all those who have been detained, as well as restoring those elected to serve in Parliament to a position that allows them to fulfill their important duties.
I would also like to thank Mr. Connolly for his Protect Democracy in Burma Act, H.R. 1112, and the important report that it will authorize.
Mr. Speaker, 24 years ago, in 1997, I chaired my first hearing on Burmese human rights abuse, and chaired additional hearings after that, including in 1998 and 2006. I also introduced several resolutions addressing the ongoing egregious crisis, including H. Res. 1710, which decried the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, and called on the Burmese military regime to end its campaign of religious and ethnic persecution of the Rohingya people, amounting to crimes against humanity.
{time} 1615
Thus, after decades of abuse, rape, torture, and murder, it is incredibly tragic as to how little has changed in that country.
As H. Res. 134 points out, the Burmese Government's unlawful detention of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as the crackdown on democracy advocates and the squelching of free expression and other fundamental civil and political rights, is outrageous and begs immediate reform and correction.
The United States must, and I believe will, in a bipartisan way, and with the executive branch taking the lead, do its part. Every sanction of leverage must be deployed, and we must call on all of our international partners to join us in those efforts.
The most glaring example of basic religious persecution, Mr. Speaker, is the oppression of Burma's Muslim Rohingya population. This persecution has been aided and abetted in part by religious and nationalist extremists such as the Buddhist monk Wirathu and the 969 movement.
We also see religious persecution intertwined with ethnic persecution, as in the case of the Karen, Kachin, and Shan people, many of whom are Christians. I have met many of them over the years.
Many of you have seen the riveting image of a Catholic nun, Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawang, kneeling before a group of militarized police, pleading that they do not shoot the protesters. Sadly, at least two protesters lost their lives that day. But what gives us at least a glimmer of hope is that opposite Sister Ann Rose, two of the officers, who are presumably Buddhists, also got down on their knees in response that this ought to be peaceful and not violent.
It is an image which gives one some hope that the people of Burma can overcome their differences and unite for peace and justice and for the benefit of all Burmese, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished chairman and the ranking member for their leadership on this.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Chabot).
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the ranking member for his leadership on this issue and so many issues that are so significant across the globe. Fortunately, our committee usually works in a bipartisan manner, so I want to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, especially the chairman, for his leadership on this as well.
As the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee's Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation Subcommittee, I rise today in support of H.R. 134, legislation that Congressman Levin and I introduced condemning the Burmese military's February 1 coup against the civilian government. The military's decision to seize control and detain top political leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, was a brazen assault on Burma's fledgling democracy.
Self-government is not some sort of temporary arrangement or a gift from the military. Burma's generals cannot simply back out of democracy when it no longer serves their purposes.
The situation has only gotten worse since the coup began. To date, the military has killed hundreds of people and has detained thousands of innocent people as political prisoners, and the conditions in many instances are horrible.
What the military is doing here is just unconscionable. These murders and detentions are blatant violations of the rights of the Burmese people who, after all, only want to have what so many other countries have across the globe, and that is the ability to determine their own leadership and their own course of action for their own families and their children and grandchildren.
We should honor--the whole world really should honor--the courage of the Burmese people who have been peacefully protesting for quite some time now. Their bravery and determination are recognized and supported across the globe. America and the world stand with them in their struggle against tyranny.
Unfortunately, the PRC in this case and in so many other cases across the globe, whether it is Cambodia or other areas where they tend, their actions are malevolent. They are undermining democracy; they are undermining freedom; and they are undermining legitimate governments. They are rewarding bad behavior, as they are doing in this case, and that is too bad because the PRC wants to be a major force and wants to be a country that other countries can look up to.
Unfortunately, they are doing all the wrong things too often, and that is what they are doing here as well. Rather than putting pressure on the military in Burma, they are essentially looking the other way or supporting them in what they are doing.
The bravery and determination of the people must be recognized across the globe.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett).
Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a report from the Associated Press detailing the detention of AP reporter Thein Zaw by Burmese authorities.
Myanmar Court Extends Detention of AP Journalist
Yangon, Myanmar (AP).--A court in Myanmar extended on Friday the pretrial detention of an Associated Press journalist who was arrested while covering demonstrations against a coup. He is facing a charge that could send him to prison for three years.
Thein Zaw, 32, was one of nine media workers taken into custody during a protest on Feb. 27 in Yangon, the country's largest city, and has been held without bail. His next hearing at the Kamayut Township court will be on March 24.
Friday's hearing, which Thein Zaw attended via videoconference, came at the end of his initial remand period.
Thein Zaw and at least six other members of the media have been charged with violating a public order law, according to his lawyer, Tin Zar Oo, and the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Separate hearings were held Friday for the other detained journalists.
Tin Zar Oo and one of Thein Zaw's brothers were allowed into the courtroom to take part in the 10-minute videoconference. Tin Zar Oo said she was able to submit documents giving her power of attorney for the case, but only at the next hearing might be allowed to submit a bail application.
A representative of the U.S. Embassy was also present, said Aryani Manring, a spokeswoman for the mission.
Thein Zaw had not been seen by his lawyer or any of his family members since his arrest. Tin Zar Oo said visits at lnsein Prison, where her client is being held, are not allowed because of coronavirus concerns, so his family has been dropping off food and supplies for him at the gate.
Tin Zar Oo said that her client looked healthy during Friday's hearing, but he suffers from asthma at night. She said Thein Zaw's brother noted that he had lost weight.
Thein Zaw was arrested as he was photographing police, some of them armed, charging down a street at anti-coup protesters. A video shows that although he stepped to the side of the street to get out of their way, several police rushed over and surrounded him. One put him in a chokehold as he was handcuffed and then taken away.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 38 journalists have been detained since the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1. Nineteen are still incarcerated.
The group says it has verified the detentions of more than 2,000 people as well as 69 deaths.
On Friday, local media in Shan State in eastern Myanmar reported that a freelance journalist from Poland had been beaten and arrested by security forces.
The online Kanbawza Tai News said a foreign photojournalist was arrested Thursday while taking pictures of a protest in the city of Taunggyi. A photo provided to the news site shows a man trapped against a wall with one arm raised as he is surrounded by about 10 soldiers.
Germany's dpa news agency said the man, Robert Bociaga, 30, has been working for the news service, and it has not been able to contact him.
``We are deeply shocked by the arrest and apparent mistreatment of Robert Bociaga,'' said the agency's editor-in-chief, Sven Goesmann. ``This is an intolerable and unacceptable attack on the freedom of the press and, even in this brutal form, is unfortunately not an isolated case.''
The Polish Foreign Ministry confirmed the arrest of a Polish journalist and said it was trying to contact the detained man and obtain information about his health and legal situation.
Earlier this week, Myanmar authorities canceled the licenses of five local outlets that had extensively covered the protests. Mizzima, Democratic Voice of Burma, Khit Thit Media, Myanmar Now and 7Day News have continued operating despite being barred from broadcasting or publishing on any media platform.
The Associated Press and many press freedom organizations have called for the release of Thein Zaw and the other detained journalists.
The U.S. government, in addition to criticizing the coup and the violence of Myanmar's security forces, has condemned the crackdown on the press in the Southeast Asian nation.
``We are deeply concerned about the increasing attacks on the freedom of expression, including for members of the press. We call for the release of journalists and for all others who have been unjustly detained,'' U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters in Washington on Thursday.
Even during Suu Kyi's time in office, journalists were often sued for their reporting.
In the highest-profile case, two journalists working for the Reuters news agency were arrested in 2017 while working on a story about military violence directed at Myanmar's Rohingya minority. They were accused of illegally possessing official documents and sentenced to seven years behind bars before being freed in 2019 in a mass presidential pardon.
Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Zaw has been jailed for covering the violence leveled against anti-coup demonstrators in Burma.
Thanks to Mr. Zaw and other journalists on the ground, we know what is going on in Burma is pure evil. The autocratic strongmen leading this coup are using deadly force to crack down on all dissenting speech. Burmese authorities, under the direction of these military thugs, are actively murdering demonstrators, arresting thousands, and imprisoning international reporters covering the situation.
Senseless violence, military rule, and imprisoning political opponents all fly directly in the face of the democratic values we cherish as Americans.
Today, this Chamber has the opportunity to condemn the hostile takeover of the Burmese Government, defend the demonstrators looking for peace, and stand up for democracy in Burma.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support both H. Res. 134 and H.R. 1112.
Mr. MEEKS. I continue to reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, the Burmese military is using brutal violence to drag Burma back into repression and isolation. We should condemn this coup with one united voice as the United States of America through its Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that the Burmese military respect the will of the Burmese people and, one, return power to those democratically elected; and, two, release civilian leaders taken into custody.
Daily protests against the military coup continue to occur in towns and cities throughout Burma, and the security forces are using increasing brutality to crack down against those demonstrating.
We must make it clear that the United States is watching and that we support the restoration of democracy.
Again, I want to thank Mr. Levin, the ranking member, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together so that the Burmese people know that the Congress of the United States of America stands together in their fight for democracy.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ruiz). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 134.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion are postponed.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 51
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