Title: A resolution condemning the military coup that took place on February 1, 2021, in Burma and the Tatmadaw's detention of civilian leaders, calling for an immediate and unconditional release of all those detained, promoting accountability and justice for those killed by the Tatmadaw, and calling for those elected to serve in parliament to resume their duties without impediment, and for other purposes.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution states that the Senate stands with the people of Burma (Myanmar) in their ambition for a genuine democracy, sustainable peace, genuine ethnic reconciliation, and fundamental human rights for all. It also calls on Burma's armed forces to release all those detained in the February 1, 2021, military coup, remove restrictions on travel and communications, and return the elected civilian government to power.

[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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