Burma’s military leaders have killed 260 people and detained 2,200 since last month's coup.

During a Senate Foreign Relations' East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy Subcommittee hearing titled "U.S. Response to the Coup in Burma," Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who serves as the Subcommittee's Ranking Member, asked the Administration's witnesses about the current conditions in Burma, including the risks of the conflict’s escalation, China’s role in this crisis, and what steps the United States can take form this point forward to support the people of Burma.

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I want to thank Chairman Markey for convening this hearing and for inviting me to participate. This first hearing of the Subcommittee on the United States’ policy responses toward Burma comes in light of the recent military coup against the democratically-elected government. And I want to recognize our four witnesses who have graciously agreed to join us today. I want to thank each of you for your service and we look forward to hearing from you.

In recent years, the Burmese military conducted a campaign of violence against the Rohingya people. Murdering thousands. Committing widespread sexual violence. Destroying homes. More than three-quarters of a million Rohingya have fled in the last five years to live in refugee camps. Some 3,300 were murdered. On February 1st of this year, as you know, Burma’s military leaders directed a coup—removed the government that had been democratically-elected in November 2020. They have since killed 260 people and detained 2,200 citizens, including some 750 students. In response, the Biden Administration has imposed targeted sanctions against Burma’s military leaders, including sanctions just announced today, and it has pledged to support Burmese civil society and humanitarian efforts. Of course the political situation in Burma is reaching a boiling point—people are protesting, the opposition has been silenced, the military junta seems set on escalating the situation further, and of course there’s more risk of more murders, more refugees, and even civil conflict. And the risk of all of these things grows by the day. The United States stands with the people of Burma in their fight for democracy and freedom, and we condemn the violence against them. But we must also lead an international effort to expand and strengthen the sanctions and the embargoes, and we must call upon China to join this effort or to suffer the public exposure of callous disregard for the plight of humanity.

I look forward today to hearing from the witnesses on the current conditions in Burma, including the risks of the conflict’s escalation, China’s role in this crisis, and what steps the United States can take form this point forward to support the people of Burma.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With that, I turn it back to you.