Easing of Sanctions on Burmese Imports Does Little to Improve Human Rights There

As expected, the Obama administration today suspended the US ban on imports from Burma, just days before President Obama’s historic visit to that country. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is disappointed that the decision was not coupled to a requirement for proper […]

Obama’s Upcoming Visit Provides Hope and Potential Danger for Burma’s Transition

One of the first things that re-elected US President Barack Obama announced was a visit to Burma to coincide with the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh. While it is true that the possibility of such a visit shows the progress Burma has made, it is also dangerous in that it bestows an excessive amount of legitimacy on a military backed government that continues to commit grave human rights violations, particularly in ethnic areas.

While President Obama is in Burma, he should highlight and condemn human rights abuses, not only in Arakan State, but in all areas. Meanwhile, this would be a perfect opportunity for the US to learn of some of the unintended consequences of lifting sanctions. The huge increase in land confiscations by military elites and their cronies is dispossessing more and more people every day. The imminent rush of foreign direct investment, such as that from the US, is catalyzing this process […]

U.S. State Department Must Hold U.S. Companies in Burma to International Standards

New investors in Burma should be required to publicly report on their human rights and environmental impacts, land acquisitions, security arrangements, and government payments – as well as those of their subsidiaries and business partners […]

Rights Groups Express Strong Concern About Weak Requirements for U.S. Investment in Burma

After submitting a detailed comment to the U.S. Department of State expressing concern over weak reporting requirements for U.S. companies considering investing in Burma, EarthRights International, Freedom House, Physicians for Human Rights, U.S. Campaign for Burma and United to End Genocide issued the following statement […]

US Campaign for Burma Expresses its Disappointment over the US Congress and Administration’s Decision to Lift Remaining Sanctions on Burma

Today the U.S. Campaign for Burma (USCB) expresses its disappointment over the U.S. Congress and Administration’s decision to lift the remaining sanctions imposed on the Burmese military regime and its successor, so-called civilian government led by former General Thein Sein. Last week, the U.S. Congress fast-tracked the passing of legislation that authorizes the Administration to provide financial assistance and loans to Burma through the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) […]

US Suspends Economic Sanctions Without Meeting Human Rights Benchmarks

The economic sanctions of the US on Burma were originally adopted because of the disregard for democratic principles and grave human right violations committed by the Burmese government. These violations continue but the pressure for the Burmese government to stop them is now removed […]

United States Government Ignores the Cries of Burma’s Oppressed Ethnic Nationalities, Rewards Burmese Regime with U.S. Dollars and Investment

Today the U.S. Campaign for Burma (USCB) expresses its concern over the US Administration’s announcement that the U.S. is lifting the financial transactions and investment ban on Burma through a presidential waiver. Lifting these major economic measures, just one week after the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), the alliance of nearly all ethnic resistance groups that have engaged in negotiations with the Burmese government to end the world’s longest civil war and reach a peaceful political settlement, called on foreign governments “to oppose and pressure Bamah Tatmadaw (The Burmese military) for its wrong actions. Accordingly, we would like to request the international community not to suspend or lift the remaining political, military, financial and economic sanctions” is effectively undermining their pursuit for an end to the Burmese military’s human rights abuses and genuine national reconciliation […]

Removal of U.S. Sanctions on Burma is Premature and Dangerous

Warning about the dangers of removing the ban on investments in Burma, United to End Genocide’s president, Tom Andrews, expressed concern that the Obama administration is rewarding a government that continues to commit human rights atrocities.

“Burmese democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has urged the United States to be cautious as it considers the removal of sanctions on Burma. Daw Suu recognized that ‘people are too optimistic about the scene in Burma’ and I agree” […]

Too Soon to Ease Burma Sanctions

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said today that the Obama Administration’s decision to ease sanctions on Burma following last month’s parliamentary election was premature. Statement […]

AIPMC Calls on US to Maintain Sanctions on Myanmar, For Now

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) today urged the US government to maintain sanctions on business activities in Myanmar, warning that a gold rush in the Southeast Asian nation could fuel further human rights abuses, risk fragile ceasefires and arrest ongoing democratic reforms rather than bolster them […]