US President Joe Biden condemned the violence against anti-coup protesters in Myanmar on Sunday. “It’s absolutely outrageous and based on the reporting I’ve gotten, an awful lot of people have been killed totally unnecessarily,” US President Joe Biden told reporters.
When asked whether the US would be imposing sanctions, Biden said “we’re working on that now.”
Defense chiefs from 12 different countries had earlier condemned violence in Myanmar, which saw military forces open fire on anti-coup protesters, killing at least 100 people.
The US, Britain, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan issued the statement, a day after Myanmar’s deadliest day of protests since the military coup in February.
“We condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar Armed Forces and associated security services,” the statement read.
The military chiefs called on Myanmar’s armed forces to cease violence and work to “restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar, that it has lost through its actions.”
“A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting — not harming — the people it serves.”
How have other leaders reacted?
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he was “deeply shocked” by what took place.
He tweeted: “It is the task of security forces to protect the population. Instead, the military killed peaceful protesters and even children. My thoughts and sympathy are with the families of the victims.”
Die Nachrichten aus #Myanmar sind zutiefst schockierend. Aufgabe von Sicherheitskräften ist es, die Bevölkerung zu schützen. Stattdessen hat das Militär friedliche Demonstranten und sogar Kinder getötet. Meine Gedanken und mein Mitgefühl sind bei den Angehörigen der Opfer. (1/3)
— Heiko Maas 🇪🇺 (@HeikoMaas) March 28, 2021
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote on Twitter: “The continuing military crackdown is unacceptable and demands a firm, unified & resolute international response.”
In the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a tweet that his country was “horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the lives of the people to serve the few.’
We are horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the lives of the people to serve the few. I send my deepest condolences to the victims’ families. The courageous people of Burma reject the military’s reign of terror.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 27, 2021
The EU delegation to Myanmar said Saturday would “forever stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonor.”
“Far from celebrating, the Myanmar military has made yesterday a day of horror and of shame,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement.