US Opposes Phosphorus Use by Burmese Police

13 March 2013

The US government said it disapproves of Burmese police using smoke bombs containing phosphorus to control demonstrations. “We have opposed the use of phosphorus as a crowd control agent. And we have urged the government to ensure that its security forces exercise maximum restraint, respect due process under the law, and protect the right of freedom of assembly,” said US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland. She was reacting to questions about a Burmese parliamentary inquiry released on Tuesday, which confirmed that police had used the bombs during a Nov. 29 crackdown on protestors. About 100 protestors, who oppose a Chinese-backed copper mine, suffered serious burns in the incident.