Washington: As violence intensifies in Burma and the ruling junta pushes ahead with what US lawmakers are calling “sham elections,” a group of nine Democratic senators has urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take swift action to address the deepening humanitarian and political crisis.
In a strongly worded joint letter led by Senator Chris Van Hollen, the lawmakers expressed “profound concern” over the prolonged bloodshed and suppression of civil liberties in Burma. They warned that the upcoming elections are designed only to entrench the junta’s power, undermine democratic norms, and further harm ethnic and religious minorities, including Muslims, Christians and other vulnerable groups.
The senators stated that the US must “prioritize addressing the escalating violence and human rights abuses, condemn the junta’s planned elections, and champion justice, accountability, and the protection of human dignity.” They also stressed that stabilising Southeast Asia and countering China’s expanding influence are critical to US national interests.
Their letter paints a grim picture of the crisis:
- By August 2025, 11.8 million people were facing severe food insecurity.
- 3.6 million people had been displaced.
- Civilian deaths had surpassed 7,100.
- A devastating March earthquake left 6.3 million in urgent need and claimed at least 3,800 lives.
Despite diminishing control on the ground—now estimated at just 21% of the country—the junta has escalated its attacks. According to the senators, the military has conducted at least 741 airstrikes, including assaults on schools that killed 22 children and attacks on churches during Palm Sunday, many of them after announcing a supposed ceasefire. On October 6, a military paramotor aircraft bombed a peaceful candlelight vigil, killing at least 24 people, including children.
The lawmakers highlighted that ethnic minorities remain the most vulnerable to the junta’s campaigns of persecution. “These abuses demand a strong US response rooted in moral leadership and strategic interest,” they wrote.
The senators urged the administration to:
- Reverse the decision ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for roughly 4,000 Burmese nationals in the US.
- Fully implement the BURMA Act, including reinstating humanitarian aid.
- Support international justice mechanisms investigating atrocities.
- Elevate Burma as a diplomatic priority, including by increasing pressure on Beijing.
They also pointed out that China and Russia have together supplied almost $1 billion worth of weapons to the junta, warning that continued unrest provides greater space for China’s strategic expansion in the region.
The letter concludes that “working with regional partners to end the violence and set Burma on a path to inclusive governance and democracy” remains the only viable route to long-term stability.
