Washington, DC – Today, Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement regarding the recent conviction and sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi:

“I categorically condemn the fraudulent sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratically elected State Counsellor of Burma. The politically motivated charges against her and this latest conviction are the height of farce, but Aung San Suu Kyi is just the most prominent figure that has been unjustly detained. Thousands of other Burmese elected officials, journalists, civil society leaders, pro-democracy activists, and others remain detained and face bogus charges as the Burmese military junta attempts to skirt the rule of law, silence the will of the Burmese people, and erase any elements of democracy that had taken root.  

"As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Tatmadaw’s illegal and illegitimate coup, we cannot allow the military junta to continue operating with impunity. The United States must demonstrate our solidarity with the Burmese people and the cause of democracy. We cannot be silent as the military harasses, tortures, and murders innocent civilians. It is time for Congress to pass the BURMA Act to hold accountable the perpetrators of the coup and the atrocities that have taken place since. I implore my colleagues in the Senate to move this important legislation without delay. I also call on the Biden administration to do more to apply pressure on the military junta, provide humanitarian support to those in need, and help bring this crisis to an end.”