US impose sanctions on Burmese state-owned gem enterprise

The Burmese military regime has ignored the will of the people of Burma to restore the country’s path toward democracy and has continued to commit lethal attacks against protesters in addition to random attacks on bystanders.

New Delhi: The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Burmese state-owned enterprise as the military regime continues to launch an attack against the Burmese people in Myanmar.

The Burmese military regime has ignored the will of the people of Burma to restore the country’s path toward democracy and has continued to commit lethal attacks against protesters in addition to random attacks on bystanders, read the statement released by the US Embassy in Burma.

This includes security forces’ brutal actions on March 27 that leftover 100 protestors dead. These attacks have led to over 500 deaths, including dozens of children.

Antony J Blinken, Secretary of US State Department in a statement said, "In response to these acts, we are taking further action by designating Myanmar Gems Enterprise, a state-owned enterprise, under Executive Order 14014. We take this action as military leaders participate in an ongoing gems emporium in Nay Pyi Taw, under the auspices of Myanmar Gems Enterprise".

By imposing targeted sanctions on this entity, we are sending a clear signal to the military that the United States will keep increasing pressure on the regime’s revenue streams until it ceases its violence, releases all those unjustly detained, lifts martial law and the nationwide state of emergency, removes telecommunications restrictions, and restores Burma to the path of democracy, Blinken added.

"The United States, in close coordination with our allies and partners throughout the region and the world, remains steadfast in our commitment to press the Burmese military and security forces to cease all violence against peaceful protestors and others, to support the restoration of democracy, and to promote accountability for the coup and the violence that followed," the US state department said.

The coup in Myanmar in early February, the first in more than three decades, has brought in a huge change in the political dynamics of the country. With the detention of leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the military taking over, the nation is currently witnessing some of the darkest days.

Thousands of people are agitating in different parts of Myanmar against the detention of leader Aung San Suu Kyi, demanding the immediate release of the leader. Thousands of people have lost their lives in the ongoing blood battle in Myanmar being carried out by the military junta.