Washington, DC – Today, Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Representative Ami Bera, Chair of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, issued the following statement regarding the unjust execution of four pro-democracy activists at the hands of the Burmese military junta:

“We strongly condemn the brutal execution of former National League of Democracy lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw and pro-democracy activist Kyaw Min Yu, along with political prisoners Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw. These arbitrary and politically motivated death sentences further illustrate the military junta’s violent repression of human rights and flagrant disregard for the rule of law.

“The United States and international community must continue holding the junta accountable for the countless human rights violations. We call on the military junta to release all political prisoners, end its suppression of fundamental rights and freedoms, and cease its pattern of lethal violence. The U.S. Congress continues to stand with the brave people of Burma in their struggle for democracy and freedom.”

###