Smith Pushes Bill to Strengthen Democracy in Burma
Legislation Places Sanctions on Oppressive Regime
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) lauded Senate passage of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 (S. 1215). The bill imposes sanctions on the ruling junta and strengthens Burma's democratic forces. Senator Smith is a sponsor of the bill, which has strong bipartisan support.
"The Burmese people have embraced democracy only to have it denied by the military junta," said Smith. "This legislation shows our support for freedom and democracy to triumph in this land."
The legislation places an import ban on goods manufactured in Burma and those made by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and companies owned by the SPDC. The ban would be in place until the following conditions are met and certified by the president:
Measurable progress to end human rights abuses
Release of all political prisoners
An agreement is reached between the SPDC and the National League for Democracy (NLD) and ethnic minorities to transfer power to a popularly elected civilian government
In addition, the legislation freezes assets of the SPDC in the United States, encourages the Secretary of State to promote greater awareness of the abuses of the SPDC, and encourages greater support for Burmese democracy activists.
"We need to make it clear that we cannot and will not support oppressive regimes," said Smith. "We must do what we can to encourage and bolster democracy movements so that the true voice of the people can be heard."
This legislation was introduced in the wake of recent human rights violations by the SPDC against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has waged a nearly 15-year struggle for democracy against one of the world's most oppressive governments.
