Sanctions are working – Don’t let them be relaxed too soon!
At long last, Burma’s military backed government has been making some political changes. Steps so far are relatively small though, and may just be being done to try to get sanctions relaxed.
Reports
Pro-Aid, Pro-Sanctions, Pro-Engagement
Position paper by pro-democracy organisations detailing policy on humanitarian assistance to Burma.
The Human Cost Of Energy
Earthrights international documents the continuing human rights abuses occurring on the Yadana project, a joint project between TOTAL, Chevron and the Burmese regime.
Drowning the Green Ghosts
A report by Kayan Women’s Union reveals how the Upper Paunglaung Dam, being built with Chinese investment, has increased forced labour and other abuses for local villagers.
Insuring Repression
Exposing how the insurance industry supports Burma’s dictators
Laid Waste: Human Rights along the Kanbauk to Myaing Kalay gas pipeline
Report by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) to promote human rights abuses along a 1,200 mile pipeline raised the prospect of further abuses on a far wider scale.
Roots and Resilience English
The Tasang dam, the largest planned for the trans-national Salween River, will submerge 870 kilometers in the heartland of Shan State, Burma. The dam is located in the midst of a conflict area where Shan resistance forces have been fighting the Burmese military regime for over four decades.
Resisting the Flood: Communities stand up against Chinese dams on Burma’s Irrawaddy
A report by Kachin Development Network Group about recent dam construction and forced relocation in northern Kachin State. China Power Investment is planning a series of seven dams on the Irrawaddy and its two main tributaries. Construction of the 2,000 megawatt Chibwe Dam on the N’Mai River has already begun…
Tyrants, Tycoons and Tigers: Yuzana Company Ravages Burma’s Hugawng Valley
Report by The Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG).
A bitter land struggle is unfolding in northern Burma’s remote Hugawng Valley. Farmers that have been living for generations in the valley are defying one of the country’s most powerful tycoons as his company establishes massive mono-crop plantations in what happens to…
The European Union and Burma
Updated 13 April 2011
Burma Briefing No. 4
This briefing examines how the European Union, one of the most powerful political and economic blocs in the world, has so far failed to use its influence in an effective and productive way to help promote democracy and human rights in Burma.…
Poison Clouds
Lessons from Burma’s largest coal project at Tigyit
This report by local Pa-Oh researchers, exposes how up to two thousand tons of lignite, the most polluting type of coal, are being extracted per day from a massive open cast mine at Tigyit village. In fact, the mine has destroyed village…
What Next For EU Burma Policy?
Burma Briefing No. 9
The European Union has a common foreign policy on Burma, known as a Common Decision. The Common Decision currently has to be renewed every April. EU members are now debating what changes, if any, there should be to the Common Decision, taking into account ‘elections’ held…
ORDERED OUT: The costs of building Burma’s Upper Paunglaung Dam
A report from the Kayan New Generation Youth reveals how military authorities in Burma have ordered 8,000 people to move from their homes in preparation for a hydroelectric dam being constructed by European and
Chinese companies that will power Naypyitaw, the country’s new capital.
The Upper Paunglaung Dam, located…
Germany and Burma – Business before human rights
Burma Briefing No. 13
Commentary on an article published on 20th June 2011 in the Financial Times by Markus Loening, Germany’s federal commissioner for human rights policy.
It is rare for a German government official to make a detailed statement on their thinking on Burma policy, and the article is…
Actions: Targeted Sanctions
Sanctions are working – Don’t let them be relaxed too soon!
Please email the British Foreign Secretary asking him to ensure that EU sanctions are not relaxed until there are fundamental and irreversible reforms, and until Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma’s democracy movement agrees to their being relaxed.
You can copy and paste a message to the Ministers on the Foreign Office website here:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/ministerial-feedback-form
Just choose Burma in the subject menu. It takes only 2 minutes.
You can write your own message, or copy and paste the message below:
Dear William Hague, Foreign Secretary, and Jeremy Browne, Minister of State
I am writing to thank your government for the leading role it plays in ensuring European Union policy on Burma has been focused on promoting human rights and democracy in the country.
Britain is the leading country in the world supporting the people of Burma in their struggle for human rights and democracy.
Recent political changes in Burma are welcome, but they are relatively small, and in the past year, human rights abuses have actually increased.
We are aware that some EU members want to use the limited changes so far as justification for lifting targeted economic sanctions on Burma. To do so will remove the incentive for the military backed government to make deeper and more fundamental changes.
The EU must respond positively to changes when they do happen, but any relaxation of pressure must be carefully calibrated and caution is vital. There have been too many lies from the military backed government for its words to be trusted. They must be judged on their actions.
Please use your effective veto power within the EU to ensure that EU sanctions are not relaxed until there are fundamental and irreversible reforms, and until Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma’s democracy movement agrees to their being relaxed.
Yours sincerely
- Budget, Not By-Elections, Next Big Test for Thein Sein
- EU – More Caution Needed on Burma Sanctions
- Burma Political Prisoner Releases Not Enough To Justify Lifting of Sanctions
- UK Government – No Review or Dilution of Burma Sanctions Yet
- Dam-induced floods spur calls to suspend new Chinese dams in Burma’s Karenni State
We desperately need your help.
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