Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United Nations Security Council should immediately impose an arms embargo against the military of Burma.
This House resolution expresses the sense of the U.S. House of Representatives that the United Nations Security Council should immediately impose an arms embargo on Burma’s military (Tatmadaw). It frames the coup in 2021 and ongoing abuses as justification for urgent action to prevent further arms flow, protect civilians, and pressure the Tatmadaw to change course. The resolution also outlines conditions under which the embargo should be lifted (including cease-fire, release of elected leaders, accountability for abuses, humanitarian access, restored communications, and a transition to civilian rule) and calls for continued international support for civilians, particularly ethnic minorities, and for peace dialogues. As a sense-of-the-House measure, this resolution expresses a political position and urging, not a binding law or instruction to U.S. agencies. It seeks to influence international action through the Security Council and to reinforce U.S. support for sanctions and humanitarian protections.
Key Points
- 1Purpose: The resolution states that the U.N. Security Council should immediately impose an arms embargo on Burma’s military to prevent further arming, proliferation of weapons, and to hold the Tatmadaw accountable for human rights abuses and disruptions caused by the coup.
- 2Justifications cited: It references the 2021 coup, detentions of elected leaders, restricted freedoms (movement, communications, internet, media), ongoing protests and deadly force against peaceful demonstrators, and past abuses against ethnic minority groups including the Rohingya. It notes existing U.S. sanctions on Tatmadaw leaders and affiliated entities.
- 3Lifting the embargo: The resolution specifies conditions for lifting the arms embargo, including:
- 4- a permanent cease-fire,
- 5- release of democratically elected leaders,
- 6- accountability for gross human rights abuses and displacement (Rohingya, Karen, Rakhine, Kachin, and others),
- 7- unimpeded humanitarian access,
- 8- restoration of internet/telecommunications,
- 9- a verifiable process to transition power to a democratically elected civilian government.
- 10Ongoing support: It urges continued international support for civilians, especially ethnic minorities, and the promotion of peace and reconciliation dialogues within local civil society.
- 11Nature and scope: This is a sense-of-the-House resolution—an expression of the House’s position to urge the UNSC, rather than a binding U.S. law or directive.