President Bush Signs Burma Sanctions Bill into Law
July 28, 2003

Washington, DC - President George W. Bush today signed legislation into law that would impose economic sanctions on Burma, including a ban of imports from that nation, for the next three years. These sanctions are designed to encourage Burma to improve its record on democracy and human rights.

On May 30, 2003, Burmese democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and several of her National League for Democracy (NLD) colleagues came under attack by paramilitary thugs and were subsequently detained by the ruling military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). Since then, with the exception of a brief visit by the U.N. Special Envoy to Burma, Razali Ismail, Suu Kyi has reportedly been held incommunicado in the notorious Insein Prison.

In the weeks following the detention of Suu Kyi, the Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), similar to the legislation signed into law today. The original legislation would have imposed economic sanctions indefinitely, while the bill enacted includes a three year sunset. The following is the statement of Senator Feinstein:

"Over the past few months, it has become clear that the military junta in Burma has no intention of fulfilling its commitments to engage the NLD in a substantive dialogue on political reform and national reconciliation.

By signing the Burmese Freedom Act into law, President Bush puts the United States on record in support of Suu Kyi's immediate release and the legitimate democratic aspirations of the Burmese people as expressed by the 1990 parliamentary elections, decisively won by the NLD. Today's action should send a clear message to the junta: either live up to your commitments or face the consequences.

It is now up to the international community, in particular ASEAN and the United Nations, to take action to bring pressure to bear on the SPDC. A united effort is critical if for sanctions to be most effective. The regime must know that the world speaks with one voice and its days are numbered."

###