Junta hails end to US protected status for Myanmar nationals
In a significant development regarding Myanmar’s political crisis, human rights monitors have raised alarms about the safety of returning to the country, especially in light of increasing violence and serious crimes reported in the lead-up to upcoming elections. The situation has escalated under the military junta that seized power in February 2021, which has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions. As Myanmar approaches its elections, the atmosphere remains tense, with many citizens fearing for their lives and well-being if they are forced to return to a nation rife with conflict and instability.
Amid this backdrop, the U.S. government’s recent decision to halt a protective status program for Myanmar citizens has drawn criticism and concern. The Trump administration’s move to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 4,000 Myanmar nationals living in the United States means that these individuals could face deportation back to a country where they would be at significant risk. TPS is designed to protect individuals from being sent back to their home countries when conditions are unsafe due to armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances. The decision has sparked outrage among human rights advocates, who argue that returning these individuals to Myanmar would expose them to the very dangers that TPS was created to mitigate.
The implications of this policy shift are profound, as many of those affected by the TPS termination have built lives in the U.S., contributing to their communities while living under the constant threat of deportation. The human rights situation in Myanmar remains dire, with ongoing reports of violence and repression against dissenters, making it clear that the conditions for safe return do not exist. As the international community watches closely, the call for the U.S. government to reconsider its stance on TPS for Myanmar citizens grows louder, emphasizing the need for compassion and protection for those fleeing violence and persecution.
Human rights monitors say it is not safe to return, citing reports of ‘serious crimes in the run-up to elections’
Myanmar’s junta applauded the Trump administration on Wednesday for halting a scheme that protected its citizens from deportation from the US back to their war-racked homeland.
About 4,000 Myanmar citizens are living in the US with temporary protected status (TPS), which shields foreign nationals from deportation to disaster zones and allows them the right to work.
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