The police rush towards the demonstrators to disperse a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on March 3, 2021.
STR | AFP | Getty Images
The United States imposed trade sanctions against the military regime in Myanmar on Thursday, the day after security forces killed dozens of people on the deadliest day of violence since a coup expelled civilian leaders from the country 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 sector – Myanmar Economic Corporation and Myanmar Economic Holding Limited. Myanmar is also subject to trade restrictions on certain sensitive items intended for military use.
“Commerce is reviewing possible additional measures as warranted by the military’s actions,” the department warned in a press release on Thursday afternoon. “The United States government will continue to hold the perpetrators of the coup 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 a campaign by the military to crush demonstrations across the country, which call for the release of civilian leaders who were removed from power and detained on February 1.
Myanmar citizens hold a candlelight vigil outside the United Nations in memory of the anti-coup protesters who were killed in Myanmar on March 4, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lauren DeCicca | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Myanmar officials also targeted members of the press who covered 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 for the regime to exercise “maximum restraint” and warned the military that the United States would take further steps to hold them accountable for detaining journalists and for violence against protesters.
“This latest escalation of violence demonstrates the fact that Juntas disregards its own people,” Price said at a news conference on Thursday.
“We will continue, as I said, to work with the international community to take significant 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 memory of the anti-coup protesters who were 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 the military leaders who directed the coup. The Federal Reserve of New York blocked an attempt by the country’s military rulers to move $ 1 billion in funds days after they seized power, according to a Reuters report.
The State Department on Thursday again asked China to use its influence in Myanmar to help restore the country’s civilian government. American and Chinese officials have spoken numerous times about the situation in Myanmar since the February 1 coup, Price said.
“We ask the Chinese to play a constructive role in using their influence with the Burmese military to end this coup,” said Price.
China, which has close ties to Myanmar, prevented the United Nations Security Council last month from issuing a statement condemning the coup.
Burmese activists said they were determined to continue participating in protests in support of democracy, despite the violent repression.
“We know that we can always be shot and killed with real bullets, but there is no point in staying alive under the joint, so we chose this dangerous road to escape,” activist Maung Saungkha told Reuters.