US Campaign for Burma Call to Renew Sanctions

Please take a minute to send an email to Congress today to renew Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act before it expires this summer. Click here. In 2003 Congress passed landmark legislation, the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, that has stopped hundreds of millions of dollars from entering the pockets of the junta and its cronies. Every year this important legislation must be renewed before it expires, each summer and strong grassroots pressure from Americans is what keeps these sanctions firmly in place. Despite recent talks around the November 2010 elections and the new so-called 'civilian' government (that exists only in name), the progress the regime claims is in fact a sham. There still remains over 2,000 political prisoners in Burma and the Burmese Army continues to commit systematic destruction and exploitation of ethnic minority populations. Top ranking military generals, their family members and business associates continue to feed off of the backs of millions of Burmese people who are mired in acute poverty. In a recent interview, Burma's democracy leader and Nobel Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi insisted: "Sanctions must remain in place. Sanctions should only be lifted when something has changed here [in the country]. There have been elections but the government that has taken over since the elections are the same as those who were in place before the elections. Nothing has changed in Burma [for] 20 years." Show your solidarity and support for Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma. Email your Congressional representatives today and let them know that sanctions are key in continuing to keep the pressure on the regime in Burma if we want to see genuine democratic change in the country. In solidarity, Myra Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma: Become a member of the U.S. Campaign for Burma. Or, make a tax-deductible donation today.