 US tightens export controls to Myanmar after protesters killed Washington (AFP) March 4, 2021 - The United States on Thursday tightened export controls on Myanmar, imposing its latest sanctions in response to the junta's deadly violence against democracy protesters. Myanmar was reclassified into the same group as US adversaries Russia and China in the level of scrutiny for any sensitive technology or materials, with restrictions on any exports that could be put to military use. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States was taking the latest measures "in response to shocking and deadly violence against protestors in Burma." "We call for the restoration of democracy in Burma," he wrote on Twitter, using Myanmar's former name. The Commerce Department said it was taking the measures and studying further actions "in response to the military coup and escalating violence against peaceful protesters." The new regulations affect exports to Myanmar's ministries of defense and home affairs as well as two state-owned firms, Myanmar Economic Corporation and Myanmar Economic Holding Limited. State Department spokesman Ned Price voiced outrage after more protesters were shot dead by the junta, which on February 1 ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi following a decade of democracy. "This latest escalation in violence demonstrates the fact of the junta's complete disregard for their own people -- for the people of Burma. It is unacceptable," Price said. "The United States will continue to respond in tandem with our partners and allies around the world," he said. Price added that the United States was also "deeply concerned" about the arrests of journalists and renewed a call for their immediate release.
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The United Nations Security Council should impose a "global arms embargo" and targeted sanctions against Myanmar's military, a top UN rights expert said Thursday, voicing alarm at the brutal repression of anti-coup protests.
In a fresh report, Thomas Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights situation in Myanmar, called for the international community to "act urgently and decisively" to support those demanding a return to democracy in the country.
"The stakes could not be higher," he said.
The UN Security Council, he said, should urgently "impose a global arms embargo" and "impose targeted economic sanctions against the Myanmar military and its sources of revenue."
It should also refer the situation in the country to the International Criminal Court "to investigate and possibly prosecute atrocity crimes that have occurred, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity," the report said.
The UN and the international community must meanwhile deny the military junta recognitions as the country's legitimate government, the expert said.
"I urge the members of the (Security) Council to consider the unrelenting brutality that we are witnessing in Myanmar," he said in a statement.
Myanmar has been in uproar since the military seized power on February 1, ending a decade-long experiment with democracy and triggering a mass uprising that the junta has increasingly sought to quash with lethal force.
Wednesday marked the bloodiest day so far, with the UN saying at least 38 people died, as online images streamed out of Myanmar showing security forces firing into crowds and blood-covered bodies with bullet wounds in their heads.
The UN Security Council is due to discuss the crisis on Friday, as international pressure mounts.
Western powers have repeatedly hit the generals with sanctions, and 41 states have imposed arms embargos on Myanmar.
- 'Terrified' -
Andrews' report covered the period up to March 1, so did not include the escalating violence in recent days.
But he had already said on February 17 that he was "terrified" at developments in the country, warning "we could be on the precipice of the military committing even greater crimes against the people of Myanmar."
The US national said in his report that he had requested access to Myanmar as soon as he was named to his post last year, back when Aung San Suu Kyi was still in charge of the civilian government.
But his request had been denied with reference to the pandemic.
Andrews meanwhile said it was clear that "the people of Myanmar are experiencing the illegal overthrow of their government and the brutal repression of a military authoritarian regime."
He hailed that they had "risen up in opposition as a diverse yet powerfully unified whole."
"The non-violent civil disobedience movement is proving to be remarkably effective, drawing its organic power from the unflinching and democratic desires of the people," he said.
"Indeed, Myanmar appears to have never been more unified."
He called on the international community to "rise to the occasion of this moment in history by following the lead and the inspiration of the people of Myanmar," voicing hope that "justice, dignity, and human rights will prevail."
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