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. Repressive laws remain in place, most political prisoners remain in jail, and attacks against ethnic civilians have actually increased. Aung San Suu Kyi has said that Burma is not yet on an irreversible path to democracy.
It is vital that the European Union does not relax targeted economic sanctions too soon. To do so will remove the incentive for the military backed government to make deeper and more fundamental changes.
However, we know from experience that EU members such as Germany prioritise trade before human rights, and would like to see sanctions relaxed now.
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.
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
We desperately need your help.
Burma Campaign UK is making a difference, but without support from members of the public our work would end.
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