Media Release from US Campaign for Burma
Today, 242 Burmese diaspora groups, local CSOs in Burma, community- based organizations, and civil society organizations in the U.S. and around the world sent a letter to the U.S. Congress to urgently support and pass the BURMA Act, which was introduced by Chairman Meeks (D-NY), Senator Cardin (D-MD), and Representative Chabot (R-OH) on Tuesday, October 5th.
The BURMA Act was warmly welcomed yesterday as a vital next step in supporting the people of Burma and holding their perpetrators, the junta and its military, accountable for the countless human rights abuses committed daily. The introduction and eventual passing of the BURMA Act will show strong U.S. leadership in alleviating an increasingly dire situation in Burma by holding the junta accountable with targeted sanctions and providing vital aid to the people of Burma. Ending the military’s cycle of impunity will not only prevent further violence, but will aid in creating safer conditions for all people in the country.
The human rights violations committed by the Burmese military since the February 1st Coup are well- documented by the CSOs on the ground and international organizations. For decades, the Burmese military incited conflict across Burma and waged a campaign of violence against ethnic minorities. Since February, the level of violence escalated to include the people of central Burma in targeted waves of human rights violations to silence any opposition and force the people into submission. Congress must take decisive action to hold the Burmese military accountable for their grave crimes and support impacted communities by urgently voting to pass the BURMA Act.
Burma’s ethnic communities in the U.S. have friends, family, and loved ones that are directly affected by the military coup. The people of Burma deserve sustainable peace, security and political stability after years of human rights abuses and a lack of justice.
“The people of Burma have waited far too long for tangible action like the BURMA Act, which was introduced yesterday by Chairman Meeks, Senator Cardin, and Representative Chabot. We now need other members of Congress to step up and co-sponsor the bill in order for it to pass successfully. With U.S. leadership taking the initiative to help and support the people, as well as taking the necessary actions to hold the junta accountable for its brutal crimes; hopefully, the rest of the international community will follow suit.” – Myra Dahgaypaw.