A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is urging Donald Trump’s administration to reject Myanmar’s “sham” elections next month, days after the administration cited the country’s electoral progress as grounds to remove legal protections for Myanmar nationals in the US.
“Burma’s planned elections this December are proving to be a sham,” said Representatives Brian Mast and Gregory Meeks and Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen on Wednesday, using the former name for the war-torn country.
“Orchestrated by the military junta to deceive the international community, these elections are designed to manufacture legitimacy for the China-backed junta after its 2021 coup and ongoing campaign of violence against the Burmese people,” the Republican and Democratic leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee said in a joint statement.
On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it was ending “Temporary Protected Status” (TPS) for Myanmar citizens, asserting that conditions in the country – including the junta’s planned “free and fair” elections – now allow them to return safely.
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Myanmar election to be held by January, junta chief says
Myanmar election to be held by January, junta chief says
“Burma has made notable progress in governance and stability, including the end of its state of emergency, plans for free and fair elections, successful ceasefire agreements, and improved local governance contributing to enhanced public service delivery and national reconciliation,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.
