Burma Unified Through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2022
Floor Speech
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Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5497, the BURMA Act which is important legislation to support the courageous people of Burma as they struggle to wrest democracy from the hands of their authoritarian military.
On February 1, 2021, after a decade of promising democratic reforms in Burma, the Burmese military (also known as the Tatmadaw) seized control of the civilian government, declared a state of emergency, and unlawfully detained State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and many Members of Parliament. In response, the people of Burma took to the streets to demand the restoration of civilian rule, only to be met with the Tatmadaw's brutal campaign of repression, involving extrajudicial executions, mass arrests and disappearances, and other authoritarian tactics.
H.R. 5497 is legislation to hold the Tatmadaw accountable for their human rights abuses by authorizing targeted sanctions against the Burmese military and its affiliated entities. These sanctions will deprive the Tatmadaw of the resources they need to continue their violent suppression of the Burmese people. H.R. 5497 also provides much-needed funds to support pro-democracy civil society groups in Burma and alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis caused by the Tatmadaw's violence and mismanagement of the economy.
I'm pleased that this legislation advances many of the goals outlined in H. Res. 896, a resolution I introduced on the one-year anniversary of the coup to condemn the Burmese military's human rights abuses. My resolution calls for tough sanctions against the Tatmadaw, robust humanitarian assistance for the Burmese people, and increased efforts to hold the Tatmadaw accountable for atrocities.
At a time when democracy is being threatened around the world, it's imperative that the United States join with the courageous people of Burma who are fighting to restore democracy in their country. By passing H.R. 5497, Congress will demonstrate our solidarity with the Burmese people, and I urge all my colleagues to support this bill and vote yes.
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