Obama Signs Bill Renewing Burma Trade Sanctions
by ERICA LIEPMANN, Causecast Editor
With the health care debate raging on in Congress and Obama on a media blitz to garner support for the bill, some of the government’s other recent bills haven’t received much media attention. The bipartisan struggle surrounding health care makes headlines, but what about something both parties can agree on?
As trade sanctions against Burma’s military regime crept up on their expiration date, Congress voted unanimously last week to renew the terms set forth in the 2003 Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. With President Obama’s signature on the Burma Sanctions Renewal Act, all trade is officially banned from Burma for the next three years. Most importantly, the bill includes provisions that continue to ban Burmese precious gems from entering the United States. Canada, Australia and the European Union have all placed similar bans upon Burmese gem imports in recent years.
By keeping these trade sanctions in place, the U.S. and other nations prevent millions of dollars from funding the military junta in its prevention of democracy and persecution of democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Recently, the military leaders have refused diplomatic efforts, like UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s request to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi during his visit to Burma earlier this month.
Aung San Suu Kyi is currently on trial for allegedly breaking the terms of her house arrest. The verdict is expected to be reached Friday.
Keep up with the U.S. Campaign for Burma and the Human Rights Action Center for the latest news on the struggle for freedom in Burma.
Photo by x-small, Flickr.
- Posted by Causecast
Related causes: Human Rights, Leaders
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