10/27/25, 11:16 AM U.S. Congress Starlink investigation threatens internet access in Myanmar - Human Rights Myanmar The only sustainable way to address transnational criminal syndicates in Myanmar is to restore the rule of law by ending the military coup. The U.S. Congress has already authorised the Burma Act, a framework to support this goal. However, the legislation remains poorly implemented, and the U.S. Government has instead made massive and sweeping cuts to USAID funding. This has de-funded the very journalists and civil society organisations who are essential for exposing criminal activity and restoring the rule of law in the country. This withdrawal of support deepens the economic crisis, making a desperate public poorer and more vulnerable to being drawn into illicit economies, such as scam centres or the drug trade, simply to survive. This policy incoherence is a far greater strategic problem than the misuse of a single communications service. A consistent US policy that empowers the democratic movement is the most effective way to combat the criminality that thrives under military rule. Recommendations International diplomatic efforts should focus on addressing the root cause of the transnational criminal syndicates in Myanmar, shifting from blocking communications technology to ending the military coup, which provides the lawless environment and protection for these criminal syndicates to operate. The U.S. Congress, and key senators such as Senator Maggie Hassan, should demand a narrow, proportional, and standards-compliant response from SpaceX, targeting criminal actors without causing widespread harm to the rights of the Myanmar people or the pro-democracy movement. This includes calling for the full implementation of the Burma Act and the restoration of USAID funding for Myanmar’s civil society and independent media, which are essential for restoring the rule of law. SpaceX should cease disproportionate actions, halting any sweeping, nontargeted service shutdowns in Myanmar, and conduct a transparent human rights due diligence assessment in accordance with the UNGPs. This process must lead to the implementation of a narrow, targeted solution that mitigates criminal misuse while protecting legitimate users. https://humanrightsmyanmar.org/us-congress-starlink-investigation-threatens-internet-access-in-myanmar/ 5/7