Recognizing and Supporting Burma’s Democratic Reforms

From the beginning of this Administration, we have pursued a policy of engagement to support human rights and reform in Burma. We knew that the challenges were great, but we also believed that a new approach was needed to support the aspirations of the people […]

Clinton’s Historic Trip to Burma Highlights Need for Continued Sanctions

At the beginning of her historical visit to Burma last Wednesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, “I came to assess whether the time is right for a new chapter in our shared history.” After a 3-day visit to the country, it seems like the US hopes to use a policy of deeper engagement with Burma as a way to bring more reforms and ensure that the “flickers of change” that President Obama mentioned are fanned “into flames of freedom that light the path toward a better future.” This strategy seems to be shared by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who told Clinton, “If we go forward together, I’m confident there will be no turning back from the road to democracy. We are not on that road yet, but we hope to get there as soon as possible with our friends.”

In her press conference when leaving the country, Secretary Clinton said that the regime must do more for the US to start the new chapter of the two countries’ history […]

Rally in Chiang Mai draws several prominent ethnic activists, international media

The rally at the U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai this morning attracted a large crowd, including international media and several prominent ethnic activists.

Organized by The Best Friend and We Are Burma to coincide with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Burma, the highest-level diplomatic exchange between the U.S. and Burma in 55 years, the purpose of the rally was to propel ethnic and political prisoner issues to the top of the agenda for all nations increasing engagement with the new regime in Burma […]

Kachin Community Calls on US Secretary of State to Press Regime to End Attacks and Human Rights Violations

The Kachin community has appealed to US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to raise the issue of armed conflict and human rights violations in Kachin State on her trip to Burma starting today. Eight organizations, including women, youth, environment, media and community groups […]

Open Letter to the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

We are writing to you today to bring your urgent attention to the situation of the civilian population in Kachin State in northern Burma. On 9 June, spurred on by the Kachin Independence Army’s (KIA) refusal to accept the regime’s proposal that all ethnic armed […]

Freedom House Urges Secretary Clinton to Push for Genuine Political Transformation in Burma

In advance of the first visit by a United States Secretary of State to Burma in 50 years, Freedom House urges Secretary Hillary Clinton to seize this critical moment and push for greater human rights and democratic reforms in the country […]

Clinton’s visit should be measured in human rights improvement

The success of the US Secretary of State’s visit to Burma should be measured on whether the authorities respond immediately by undertaking bold and far-reaching human rights reforms, Amnesty International said in a statement today […]

Clinton Must Prioritize Release of Political Prisoners and Human Rights Abuses on Visit to Burma

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to arrive in Burma this Wednesday, 30 November, for the first visit by an American Secretary of State to the country in more than fifty years. In announcing her visit, US President Barack Obama has focused on positive developments in Burma, referring to “flickers of progress” but he also recognized that “there’s far more to be done” and that the possibility of establishing closer ties between Burma and the United States “will depend upon the Burmese government taking more concrete action.”

While many have welcomed the visit by Secretary Clinton, it is crucial that during her time in Burma, she prioritize putting pressure on the regime to bring an end to the decades of human rights abuses perpetrated against civilians throughout the country. Despite the “flickers of progress” that President Obama highlighted in his speech, the reality is that in many ways human rights abuses have escalated since President Thein Sein took office […]

Secretary Clinton Urged to Prioritize Securing An End to Burmese Army’s Crimes against Humanity by 12 Human Rights Organizations and One Individual in the United States

Today the U.S. Campaign for Burma (USCB) and 11 other respected human rights organizations and one individual in the United States sent an open letter to Secretary Clinton to strongly urge her to prioritize securing an end to the egregious crimes against humanity […]

Open Letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Dear Madam Secretary,

Thank you for your ongoing support to the women of Burma and for women’s rights worldwide. We urge you on your upcoming trip to Burma to expressly demand an immediate end to the use of rape as a weapon of war against the ethnic women of Burma […]