INTERNATIONAL

Western Powers Pile Pressure Myanmar Junta

The western powers specifically the European Union and United States are piling pressure on Myanmar junta over its recent putsch against democratic elected government in the country.  

Reuters reports that the EU is considering sanctions on Myanmar, just as the United States penalised two more generals for links to the military coup.

U.N. Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews said millions had marched in a “breathtaking” turnout, despite the junta’s threat.

“The generals are losing their power to intimidate and with it, their power. It is past time for them to stand down, as the people of Myanmar stand up,” Andrews said on Twitter.

More protests are planned for Tuesday.

Overnight, EU governments showed support for those seeking to reverse the Feb. 1 coup and the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“We are not prepared to stand by and watch,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in Brussels, adding that sanctions could follow if diplomacy failed.

The European Union is considering sanctions that would target businesses owned by the army, but the bloc ruled out any curtailing of its trade preferences to avoid hurting poor workers.

Myanmar’s security forces have shown more restraint since the coup than in earlier confrontations with those pushing for democracy in almost half a century of direct military rule.

The army seized power after alleging fraud in Nov. 8 elections in which Suu Kyi’s party trounced a pro-military party, detaining her and much of the party leadership. The electoral commission dismissed the fraud complaints.

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