Biden administration demands immediate release of journalists and protesters in Myanmar
President Biden is ready to crack down on Myanmar.
The White House on Thursday vociferously slammed the military coup in the Asian nation of 53 million residents and is calling for officials to halt their vicious suppression of pro-justice demonstrators while demanding the freeing of detained journalists and protesters, reported The Associated Press.
The Biden administration also called the arrest of one Associated Press journalist “troubling” and of “great concern.”
The State Department claimed it’s collaborating with other nations to present a front of solidarity to Myanmar’s military and to show that the country’s appalling actions will be have consequences.
America has already imposed sanctions against the Myanmar’s top military leaders since the Feb. 1 overthrow, but is treading lightly after forces killed as many as 38 people on Wednesday, noted The AP.
The administration says it is touching bases with allies, as well as China, in an attempt to convince Myanmar officials to ease their brutal protests response.
“The detainment of journalists, the targeting of journalists and dissidents is certainly something that is of great concern to the president, to the secretary of state and to every member of our administration,” stated White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said the administration was “deeply saddened” by reports of demonstrator deaths.
“This latest escalation in violence demonstrates the fact of the junta’s complete disregard for their own people, for the people of Burma,” said Price. “It is unacceptable.”
On Thursday, footage of the brutal crackdown on protesters prompted calls for a more vigorous international response.
Videos showed security forces shooting a person at point-blank range and chasing down and savagely beating demonstrators, noted The AP.
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Journalist Thein Zaw was among several members of the press arrested last week while covering security forces charging at anti-coup protesters.
He and other journalists have been charged with violating a public order that could see them stuck behind bars for as long as three years.
