US lawmakers seek transparent, fair election in Myanmar: introduce resolution

A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced a bicameral resolution in US Congress, urging Myanmar government to allow free, fair, transparent, participatory and credible elections in country scheduled to be held in month of vember.

lawmakers also called on President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday, seeking support for Myanmar's ongoing transition to democracy and condemn any action taken by government, political parties, military, or Union Election Commission to limit civil society participation in election.

Introduced by Congressman Andy Levin and Steve Chabot, both of whom are members of House of Foreign Affairs Committee, and or fellow Congressmen, group also urged Trump ministration to ensure that US-based social media companies, including Facebook, don't allow ir platforms to be used as vehicles for spreing misinformation or vocating violence or voter intimidation to suppress voter participation.

In Senate, resolution was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin and Todd Young, members of Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

resolution also calls for President to consider sanctioning individuals within Government of Myanmar, Tatmaw, and among military associated businesses and ultranationalist groups, whom US Government determines undermine free, fair, inclusive, transparent, participatory, and credible elections in Myanmar or safety of such elections.

“Myanmar has experienced one of most severe human rights atrocities in modern history. w re is a concerted attempt to disenfranchise Rohingya and or mirity groups in Myanmar by shutting m out of democratic process,” said Cardin.

US must stand in support of efforts for a more peaceful and democratic future for Myanmar in which all people's human rights are respected, he said.

Given horrific human rights abuses that have occurred in Myanmar in recent years, it is critical that Rohingya Muslim mirity be included in election process this vember. US supports efforts for a free, fair, inclusive, and transparent election said, Senator Young.

“Myanmar's 2015 general elections marked a significant turning point in country’s trajectory. Yet Myanmar’s fledgeling democratic experiment, with military still wielding so much control, has been wracked by trdy, including gecide of Rohingya and ongoing abuses of ethnic mirities. Myanmar's upcoming elections in vember are a critical opportunity to take a step toward a democracy where all citizens can be protected and enfranchised,” said Engel.

Engel urged Myanmar Government to do everything in its power to ensure free and fair elections, to enable participation of all of Myanmar ethnic groups, and to act decisively to combat hate speech and political violence.

Congressman Levin said that gecide of Rohingya, continued oppression of religious and ethnic mirities, silencing of government critics and more have marred recent years.

“se elections represent a critical juncture. We urge Myanmar government to hold free, fair, inclusive, transparent, participatory, and credible elections, and we urge our own president and State Department to work with us in support of a real democratic transition in Myanmar,” he said.

“As a longtime vocate for democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Myanmar, I believe that free and fair elections in Myanmar are a necessary step in country's democratic transition," said Congressman Chabot.