President Obama to Welcome Burma’s President Thein Sein to White House, Ignores Plight of Ethnic, Religious Minorities

Today the U.S. Campaign for Burma (USCB) expresses its dismay over President Obama’s decision to welcome Burma’s President Thein Sein to the White House on Monday, May 20, 2013, just days after President Thein Sein failed to effectively manage the multiple dangers Rohingya internally displaced persons (IDPs) face from the oncoming […]

“The Political Prisoners Game”

As US President Barack Obama visited Burma today, the Thein Sein government continues to pursue positive headlines in a cynical move to release political prisoners at the same time as Obama’s arrival.

Last Thursday’s release of 452 prisoners was a huge disappointment as no political prisoners were among them, with the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners calling it “the worst amnesty ever”. Today, 19 November, however, at the time of publication 45 political prisoners have been released. This ploy by the government usually coincides with a visit of an international figure or a decision made by the international community on Burma. In September, 87 political prisoners were released the week before President Thein Sein went to New York for the UN General Assembly. In July, 25 political prisoners were released shortly before the US lifted its investment ban and Thein Sein met with US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in Cambodia. This time, it is because President Obama is coming to Burma. “It seems there is a new game in Burma, which is the political prisoners game,” Phil Robertson from Human Rights Watch stated, highlighting the lack of integrity of these releases […]

Demonstrators Call on US President Obama to Support Peace in Myanmar

More than 20 people staged a demonstration at the University of Yangon as US President Barack Obama arrived to deliver his public speech today. They held up posters calling for Obama to help stop civil war and use his visit to raise the issue of peace.

“We welcome President Obama, but his visit cannot overshadow the need for peace, human rights and democracy in our country […]

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 […]

Statement by the President on the Release of Burmese Political Prisoners

President Thein Sein’s decision to release hundreds of prisoners of conscience is a substantial step forward for democratic reform […]

Americans Demand President Obama Show Global Leadership in Ending Crimes against Humanity in Burma

Today the U.S. Campaign for Burma delivered 13,000 petition signatures from American citizens to the Obama administration, calling on them to provide stronger global leadership to end crimes against humanity in Burma. The petition signatures were delivered today to mark the 4thanniversary of Burma’s military regime’s violent […]

Letter to President Obama

BURMA: Banking Sanctions and Establishment of a United Nations Commission of Inquiry

Dear President Obama,

It has now been almost two years since your administration launched its new engagement policy with the military government in Burma. Senior officials from the State Department have visited the country several times, met with Burma’s leaders, and tried to persuade them to implement positive changes in the country, as demanded by the people of Burma and the international community […]

Members of U.S. Congress Call On President Obama to Lead Establishment of International Commission of Inquiry in Burma

The U. S. Campaign for Burma (USCB), a Washington, DC-based grassroots organization campaigning to end crimes against humanity and the culture of impunity in the Southeast Asian country of Burma, today welcomes the call made by Members of U.S. Congress, urging President Obama to “redouble the United States efforts, at the highest levels, to establish the (UN) Commission (of Inquiry)”. A bi-partisan group of 31 Members of the House of Representatives made their call in the letter they sent to President Obama on April 28, 2011 […]

AAPP Endorses US President Obama’s Appointment of Derek Mitchell as Special Representative for Burma

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners endorses US President Barack Obama’s appointment of Derek Mitchell as the US Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma […]