Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.
STR | AFP | Getty Images
The United States on Thursday imposed trade sanctions on the military regime in Myanmar, a day after security forces killed dozens of people on the deadliest day of violence since a coup ousted the country’s civilian leaders. last month and sparked protests across the country.
The Department of Commerce is imposing export controls on Myanmar’s Ministry of Defense and Home Affairs, as well as two corporations closely associated with the military: Myanmar Economic Corporation and Myanmar Economic Holding Limited. Myanmar is also subject to trade restrictions on certain sensitive items intended for military use.
“Trade is reviewing possible additional measures as justified by the actions of the military,” the department warned in a press release Thursday afternoon. “The U.S. government will continue to hold the perpetrators of the coup responsible for their actions.”
Myanmar security forces killed at least 38 protesters on Wednesday, according to the United Nations. The violence is part of a military campaign to crush protests across the country, demanding the release of civilian leaders who were ousted from power and arrested on 1 February.
Myanmar citizens hold a candlelight vigil outside the United Nations in memory of protesters against the coup that killed them in Myanmar on March 4, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lauren DeCicca | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Myanmar authorities have also addressed members of the press covering the protests. Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw and five other members of the media were arrested and charged with violating a law and order this week.
State Department spokesman Ned Price called for the regime to exercise “maximum restraint” and warned the military that the U.S. would take more steps to hold them responsible for detaining journalists and violence against protesters. .
“This latest escalation of violence demonstrates the fact that boards completely disregard their own people,” Price said during a news conference Thursday.
“We will continue, as I said, to work with the international community to take meaningful action against those responsible, there will be additional action by the United States,” Price said before the trade announced the new trade sanctions.
Myanmar citizens hold a candlelight vigil outside the United Nations in memory of protesters against the coup that have been killed in Myanmar on March 4, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lauren DeCicca | Getty Images News | Getty Images
President Joe Biden issued executive orders last month imposing sanctions on military leaders who led the coup. The New York Federal Reserve blocked an attempt by the country’s military rulers to move $ 1 billion in funds days after they took power, according to a Reuters report.
The State Department on Thursday again called on China to use its influence in Myanmar to help restore the country’s civilian government. U.S. and Chinese officials have spoken numerous times about the situation in Myanmar since the Feb. 1 coup, Price said.
“We have urged the Chinese to play a constructive role in using their influence with the Burmese army to end this coup,” Price said.
China, which maintains close ties with Myanmar, last month blocked the UN Security Council from issuing a statement condemning the coup.
Burmese activists have said they are determined to continue attending pro-democracy protests despite violent repression.
“We know we can always shoot ourselves and shoot ourselves with live bullets, but it makes no sense to stay alive under the board, so we choose this dangerous path to escape,” activist Maung Saungkha told Reuters .