Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.Con.Res. 200, a resolution that condemns the Burmese Junta for their violent suppression of Buddhist Monks and other peaceful demonstrators in Burma and demands the immediate release of opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  As a cosponsor of this resolution, I believe it is important for Congress to show its support for Burma’s call for democracy.   

In 1988, the Burmese military established rule through a military junta, and named themselves the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).  This repressive regime arrested those who opposed them, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the leader of the legitimately elected political party, the National League of Democracy.   SPDC, which has changed the country’s name to Myanmar, has forcefully led the Burmese citizens ever since.  According to the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights, as well as private organizations, Burma's human rights record has worsened in recent years. These reports have cited government and military abuses of civilians that include killings, torture, rape, arbitrary arrests, and forced labor.

This past August, the SPDC ended fuel subsidies, which led to excessive costs for gas.  The Burmese citizens, unhappy with yet another burden, held pro-democracy rallies and called for the transfer of power to Aung San Suu Kyi.  These rallies were ended forcefully by the SPDC, but Buddhist Monks, nuns and students have continued to peacefully protest the regime.  The SPDC has recently banned the assembly of citizens in public, as well as attacked, arrested and killed those involved in the protests. 

Madam Speaker, the ongoing violence and repression of peaceful protests for democracy is a travesty.  H.Con.Res. 200 shows our country’s support for the Burmese citizens’ right to challenge their regime.  This resolution also demands the release of other political prisoners who are detained by the regime, and calls on the United Nations Security Council to take the appropriate action against the State Peace and Development Council.  The United States has already imposed heavy sanctions on the SPDC for many years, but we must also call on other countries, including China and India, who benefit from Burma’s natural gas exports, to keep the pressure on the SPDC to end this atrocity.

As a member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, I will continue to work with my colleagues to keep pressure on the Burmese regime and express support for those citizens who peacefully congregate for a new government.  Passing H.Con.Res. 200 is an important and necessary step for Congress to take as we work to achieve this goal.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.