Police rush towards the protesters to disperse a rally that is being held against the military coup in Yangon on March 3, 2021.
STR | AFP | fake images
The United States imposed trade sanctions against the military regime in Myanmar on Thursday, a day after dozens of people were killed by security forces in the deadliest day of violence since a coup toppled the country’s civilian leaders last month and sparked protests across the country.
The Commerce Department is imposing export controls on the Myanmar 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 now subject to trade restrictions on certain sensitive items intended for military use.
“The Commerce Department is reviewing possible additional measures as warranted by military actions,” the department warned in a press release Thursday afternoon. “The United States government will continue to hold the coup plotters responsible for their actions.”
Security forces in Myanmar killed at least 38 protesters on Wednesday, according to the United Nations. The violence is part of an army campaign to crush nationwide demonstrations calling for the release of civilian leaders who were ousted from power and detained on February 1.
Myanmar citizens hold a candlelight vigil outside the United Nations in remembrance of the anti-coup protesters who were killed in Myanmar on March 4, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lauren DeCicca | Getty Images News | fake images
Myanmar authorities have also targeted members of the press who were covering the protests. Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw and five other members of the media were arrested and charged with violating a public order law this week.
State Department spokesman Ned Price called on the regime to exercise “maximum restraint” and warned the military that the United States would take further steps to hold it accountable for the detention of journalists and violence against protesters.
“This latest escalation of violence demonstrates the fact that the Juntas completely despise their own people,” Price said during a news conference Thursday.
“We will continue, as I said, working with the international community to take meaningful action against those responsible, there will be additional action by the United States,” Price said before Commerce announced the new trade sanctions.
Myanmar citizens hold a candlelight vigil outside the United Nations in remembrance of the anti-coup protesters who were killed in Myanmar on March 4, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lauren DeCicca | Getty Images News | fake images
President Joe Biden issued executive orders last month imposing sanctions against the 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.
On Thursday, the State Department again called on China to use its influence in Myanmar to help restore the country’s civilian rule. US and Chinese officials have spoken out numerous times about the situation in Myanmar since the Feb. 1 coup, Price said.
“We have urged the Chinese to play a constructive role to use their influence with the Burmese army to end this coup,” Price said.
China, which has close ties to Myanmar, last month prevented the United Nations Security Council from issuing a statement condemning the coup.
Burmese activists have said they are determined to continue to attend protests in support of democracy despite violent repression.
“We know that we can always be shot and killed with live bullets, but there is no point staying alive under the junta, so we choose this dangerous path to escape,” activist Maung Saungkha told Reuters.