Letter to President Obama Regarding His Trip to Burma

Dear President Obama: We, the undersigned NGOs, are writing to express our grave concern regarding continuing abuses against ethnic groups in Burma and the implications of your planned trip. By going under current circumstances, you take on a lot of responsibility […]

US Campaign for Burma’s Statement on the Situation in Rakhine (Arakan) State, Burma

United States Campaign for Burma today expresses its concern over the ongoing violence in Rakhine (Arakan) State in the western part of Burma, also known as Myanmar, between the Rakhine Buddhist community and the Muslim community, known as the Rohingya. Violence has erupted between the two communities since May of this year and continued to this day with the great loss of hundreds of lives, thousands of houses and properties, and more than one hundred thousand peoples displaced […]

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) […]

Rights Groups Express “Grave Concern” Regarding U.S. Policy on Investment in Burma

In response to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s announcement on the lifting of restrictions on U.S. investment in Burma, five human rights groups issued the following statement:

“We express grave concern regarding the U.S. government’s decision to allow investments into businesses connected to the Burmese regime that are corrupt and help to fuel human rights violations. As it stands now, investment in many of the most attractive sectors of the Burmese economy is likely to worsen the human rights situation while directly benefitting individuals and entities responsible for rights abuses, who contribute to corruption, or are otherwise acting to obstruct political reform […]

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 […]

Human Rights Groups Resist State Department Efforts to Prematurely Reward the Burmese Regime

Nine human rights organizations are calling on the United States government to prioritize democracy and human rights in Burma by exercising caution when it comes to the relaxation of sanctions. In a letter to President Obama dated April 24, 2012, the groups urge […]

Burma’s Democracy Movement Enters into the New Playing Field by Winning at least 39 Seats in the By-Lection, Yet Still Full of Landmines, Barriers, and Biased-Referees

Burma’s democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said during a press conference on March 30, 2012 “What has been happening in this country is really beyond what is acceptable for a democratic election. Still, we are determined to go forward because we think that is what our people want […]

Release of Political Prisoners in Burma Welcomed, Remaining Ones Should Be Released

Today the U.S. Campaign for Burma (USCB) confirmed that more than two hundred political prisoners were released today in Burma, including the country’s second most prominent democracy activist Min Ko Naing and Saffron Revolution monk leader U Gambira. They were released according to a conditional amnesty announced by the Burmese regime on January 12, 2012 […]

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 […]