Demanding a quick and full restoration of the democratically elected government in Myanmar, the United States of America said it stands with the elected representatives of the Asian nation. "It is fair to say that we stand with the duly elected representatives of the people of Burma in their efforts to speak for the people of the country. We join them in demanding the immediate and full restoration of the democratically elected government," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said.
Price said, "We stand with the people of Burma, support their right to assemble peacefully, including to protest peacefully in support of the democratically elected government.” Price added that America supports the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, to receive, to impart information both online and offline.
Last week, Myanmar’s military had taken control of the nation for one year and detained many of its top political personalities, including de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Suu Kyi's government has been accused by the military of not investigating the recent elections voter fraud allegations, party clearing that votes while the military-backed party performed poorly. The State Election Commission, however, had denied the allegations.
Ned Price said that the United States is concerned about the military's recent announcement restricting public gatherings. "We strongly support the right of all individuals – in Burma and around the world – to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, including for peaceful protest," he said.
The US is closely observing the policy measures, said Price adding that we could potentially enact should the military not change its course.
Republican leader Mitch McConnell on Monday came out in support of the people of Burma. “Over the weekend hundreds of thousands of protestors stood up across Burma in defiance of the military coup. For a week now, the military has detained hundreds of civil society leaders and democratically elected officials -- some on mysterious or specious charges, and others without charge at all,” he said on the Senate floor.
Mr Mitch said, “Their actions were illegitimate from the start. And their treatment of these political prisoners is showing the world of the military regime’s disdain for the rule of law. In the face of this tyranny.” The military in Myanmar has brutally dealt with protestors in the past and the public unity of Burma’s population is a powerful display of courage, praised Mitch. Further, he said that ethnic groups form Burman’s Shan and Rohingya minorities have rallied in cities and towns of the democratically-elected government. They are demanding justice and an end to military rule, McConnell said.
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“I've been encouraged over the past week by the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the administration to demonstrate the United States’ condemnation of the military's flagrant assault on political rights. Today, it’s time to follow up with meaningful costs on those who aid and abet the suffocation of Burmese democracy,” he said.
Condemning the February 1 military coup in Burma, Senators Todd Young and Ben Cardin, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, last week had introduced a resolution calling for an end to the military action and “for those elected to serve in parliament to resume their duties without impediment.”