Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor David J. Canepa, District 5
Subject: Resolution in Support of Burma
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution to support the Burmese people in the long fight against oppression, and to urge the Myanmar military to cease violence against peaceful protestors, and to release political prisoners detained after the February 1, 2021 coup d’état.
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BACKGROUND:
Unrest has roiled the nation of Myanmar since a February 1, 2021 coup brought back full military rule following years of quasi-democracy. Peaceful pro-democracy street demonstrations were also halted as the country’s military seized power. The freedom of expression of the Burmese people has been severely restricted, including the restriction of movement, telecommunications, and media. Coup-related violence has impacted Myanmar's legal, social, and health systems.
The United Nations, United Kingdom, European Union, and United States have publicly denounced the military takeover and called for the release of all political prisoners.
DISCUSSION:
The Myanmar military’s security forces have responded with an increasingly brutal crackdown defined by some of the worst human rights violations imaginable: unlawful and arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The military’s crackdown is also generating a public health crisis with potential regional and international impacts. By occupying hospitals by force and by persecuting health care workers and public health officials, the military has critically impeded Myanmar’s health care system - including its COVID-19 testing, treatment, and immunization efforts.
San Mateo County is home to a thriving Burmese community. Burmese Americans are largely employed as professionals in academia, business and technical work. Many Burmese immigrants and refugees fled Burma due to the political repression, human rights abuses, and economic instability.
It is our responsibility to take a stand against human right violations and pledge to support our community residents who have been afflicted by coup-related violence, instability, and trauma. Additionally, the freedom of expression is a basic human right.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.