Biden condemns military coup in Burma

President Biden condemned the use of force to suppress democracy in a statement against the military coup in Burma that took place early Monday morning, calling for a review of U.S. sanctions policy and a coordinated response by the international community. 

The president in a statement condemned the Burmese military’s arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy, and other civilian government officials, and spoke out against the military imposing a state of emergency and grabbing power for one year. 

“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,” the president said in a statement. 

The arrests of NLD leaders came as the civilian government was set to open the first parliamentary session Monday following the party’s majority victory in the November elections.

The military has criticized the elections as fraudulent, a charge rejected by the country’s election commission. The elections were viewed as a hard-won victory for Burma’s transition to democracy after decades of military rule.

The president condemned the use of force to interfere in the democratic process.

“In a democracy, force should never seek to overrule the will of the people or attempt to erase the outcome of a credible election,” Biden said. 

The president said the international community should work together to support a “restoration of democracy and the rule of law” and issue a coordinated call for Burma’s military to “immediately relinquish the power they have seized, release the activists and officials they have detained, lift all telecommunications restrictions, and refrain from violence against civilians.” 

Biden further called on actions against those who are responsible for the coup, and that the U.S. would review its sanctions policy towards Burma if backsliding on democracy was not reversed. 

“The United States removed sanctions on Burma over the past decade based on progress toward democracy. The reversal of that progress will necessitate an immediate review of our sanction laws and authorities, followed by appropriate action,” the president said.

“The United States will stand up for democracy wherever it is under attack.”