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CFOB supports the NLD’s position on economic sanctions on Burma

By Canadian Friends of Burma  •  February 8, 2011

The National League for Democracy (NLD), led by the Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, issued a statement today reviewing the economic sanctions on Burma. The statement outlines a rationale for maintaining the sanctions and notes that “the hardships of the vast majority of the people of Burma are not related to sanctions, but to misguided government policies.”

The NLD statement calls for those countries imposing economic sanctions, including Canada, to maintain sanctions until a set of benchmarks, including the release of more than 2,000 political prisoners, are met.

The statement was released in the midst of media speculation on the lifting of sanctions – speculation which the NLD notes “…seem to have been motivated by political considerations.” They went on to note that “Criticism of sanctions, particularly economic sanctions, sometimes serve to divert attention from the main problems plaguing the country.”

The Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) supports the NLD’s position and its assessment that the mismanagement and misappropriation of the country’s budget and resources by the military regime is a fundamental problem in Burma.  CFOB agrees that “Targeted sanctions serve as a warning that acts, contrary to basic norms of justice and human rights, cannot be committed with impunity, even by authoritarian governments”

The NLD ends their statement expressing an interest in further, well-informed discussion. CFOB also supports NLD’s call “for discussions with the United States, the European Union, Canada and Australia with a view to reaching agreement on when, how and under what circumstances sanctions might be modified in the interests of democracy, human rights and a healthy economic environment.”

Therefore, CFOB calls upon the Government of Canada to maintain economic sanctions until Canada’s concerns on human rights situations are addressed and significant political progress is made in Burma. Canada should also take an active role in policy-consultation and coordination with like-minded countries for any reviewing process.

Full policy statement of the National League for Democracy (NLD) can be read here.

The Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) is federally incorporated, national non-governmental organization working for democracy and human rights in Burma. Contact: Suite 206, 145 Spruce St., Ottawa, K1R 6P1; Tel: 613.237.8056; Email: [email protected]; Web: www.cfob.org

Tags: Canada, Canadian Friends of Burma, National League for Democracy, Sanctions

This post is in: Press Release

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