The United States has announced the immediate suspension of all trade engagement with Myanmar until the return of a democratically elected government.
The move comes a day after US President, Joe Biden, condemned the killing of peaceful protesters as “outrageous”.
Announcing the suspension of all US engagement with Myanmar, US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, said in a statement that Myanmar security forces’ killing of peaceful protesters, students, workers and labour leaders and children had “shocked the conscience of the international community”.
“These actions are a direct assault on the country’s transition to democracy; And the efforts of the Burmese people to achieve a peaceful and prosperous future.”
US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai.
- Myanmar military carrying out ‘extrajudicial executions’ on peaceful protesters- Amnesty International
- Myanmar police fire warning shots at protesters, dozens arrested
According to the UN, 107 people were killed on 27th March, the “bloodiest day” since the military coup.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) monitoring group adds that another 13 people were killed on 28th March. This, according to the group, brings the total death toll from crackdowns, since the coup, to at least 459.
Protests continue amid rising death toll
Protesters have taken to the streets of Myanmar in defiance to the deadly crackdown by security forces. According to local news outlets, at least three civilian deaths have been recorded today, 29th March.
As a result, the General Strike Committee of Nationalities, a protest group, has called in an open letter on Facebook for ethnic minority forces to help those standing up to the “unfair oppression” of the military.
“It is necessary for the ethnic armed organizations to collectively protect the people.”
Fighters from different ethnic minority groups have battled the central government for decades for greater autonomy. Though many groups have agreed to ceasefires, fighting has flared in recent days between the army and forces in both the east and north.
Call for emergency UN security council meeting
The UK’s foreign ministry has advised its nationals in Myanmar to leave as soon as possible, following “a significant increase in the level of recent violence”.
Britain also called for an emergency UN security council meeting on the situation in Myanmar. The meeting’s set to take place behind closed doors on 31st March, with the 15-member security council in attendance.
The security council had previously condemned the violence and called for a restoration of democracy. However, it has not yet considered possible sanctions against the military, which would require the support of or an abstention by Myanmar’s ally, China.
Analysts say it will be unlikely Beijing will agree to UN sanctions especially after pushing for dialogue and domestic resolution.
In another development, a rare joint statement by the defence chiefs of the US, Britain, Japan and nine other countries have admonished the Myanmar military to act “professionally.”
“A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting – not harming – the people it serves.”
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