Burma

June 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC – The members of the Senate Women’s Caucus on Burma today renewed calls for the Burmese military junta, the State Peace and Development Council, to immediately release imprisoned democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi on the occasion of her birthday, as well as all other political prisoners.    » read more »

Senators urge their colleagues to act quickly in considering and passing this important legislation

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on Tuesday called on their colleagues to quickly approve their legislation, “The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act,” which renews sanctions against the Burmese junta.

The McConnell/Feinstein bill calls for the renewal of sanctions against the Burmese regime, which include an import ban on Burmese goods entering the U.S. and visa restrictions on officials from the dictatorial regime – the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- I call on the Burmese government to release National League for Democracy Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from detention immediately and unconditionally. I strongly condemn her house arrest and detention, which have also been condemned around the world.

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued opinions affirming that the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi dating back to 2003 is arbitrary, unjustified, and in contravention of Burma’s own law, and the United Nations Security Council reaffirmed on May 22 their concern about the situation and called for the release of all political prisoners.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN) released the following statement last week in response to recent charges brought against Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi:

“The Obama Administration and Congress are reviewing America’s policy toward Burma. At this critical time, some in the junta are trying to leverage the recent alleged unauthorized entry into Aung San Suu Kyi’s compound to extend her detention. This action sends precisely the wrong message to the citizens of Burma, the people of Southeast Asia, and all those in the global community who seek for the Burmese people the opportunity to live in a country where universal human rights are respected, not trampled.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- Senator Judd Gregg last week released the following statement regarding the criminal charges filed against Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi by the ruling junta:

“The only thing criminal about Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been the abusive injustices she and her supporters have suffered under the State Peace and Development Council. Her transfer from house arrest to prison to face criminal charges is a serious matter that deserves the strongest condemnation from the world’s democracies – and from regional neighbors, including Thailand and China,” Senator Gregg stated.    » read more »

06/17/2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry today sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to express his grave concerns over the Burmese military junta’s restricting foreign aid to millions devastated by the recent cyclone, and to ask whether the junta’s actions may constitute “crimes against humanity” under international law. Kerry has requested a legal opinion from the State Department.    » read more »

09 June 2008 -- U.N. helicopters are delivering aid to Burma's Irrawaddy Delta Monday for the first time, bringing supplies to people struggling to survive since Cyclone Nargis devastated the region May 3.

A World Food Program spokesman said boats have been delivering some aid to villages cut off by flooding, but helicopters are much more efficient.

Cyclone Nargis damage, Burma: Photo by Ground Report (CC)

He said the U.N. is sending four more helicopters to Burma this week, bringing the total to 10.    » read more »

The Red Cross says Cyclone Nargis may have affected as many as 2.5 million people in Burma, and international groups say the death toll could end up being more than 100,000.

Burma raised its official death toll last week to 38,000, as weather organizations predicted more heavy rain that could make flooding in the country's agricultural belt even worse.

Burmese refugees in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis: Photo by TZA (CC)

The cyclone hit over two weeks ago, devastating Burma's Irrawaddy delta.

The United Nations says lack of emergency aid could contribute to famine and disease that would send the death toll even higher.    » read more »

Burmese Military Should Not Be Relied Upon

New York, May 14, 2008 – Countries delivering relief aid to Burma should insist on monitoring to ensure aid reaches the cyclone victims most in need and to prevent the military government from seizing it, Human Rights Watch said today. Simply dropping aid off at Rangoon airport under the control of the abusive and ill-equipped Burmese military will not necessarily help victims of the cyclone.

Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, Burma: Photo by Ground Report (CC)    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2008 – The U.S. military has flown nearly 100 tons of humanitarian relief supplies into Burma to assist its cyclone-stricken people, a senior Pentagon official said here today.

Today, five more plane loads of relief supplies were delivered by U.S. military aircraft as part of Joint Task Force Caring Response, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.

Burma briefing: U.S. Pacific Commander Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, others hold briefing before flight with Cyclone Nargis relief supplies leaves for Burma. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Eric Arndt    » read more »

5/12/2008 -- As the humanitarian situation in Burma continues to deteriorate, it is critical that the United States and the international community do everything possible to get humanitarian assistance into the country to save lives.

The Burmese junta has blocked international efforts, prevented humanitarian workers from distributing assistance, and insisted that the junta control aid distribution itself.

Burmese children: Photo by Gusjer (CC)    » read more »

12 May 2008 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is frustrated by the Burmese government's handling of the humanitarian crisis in the cyclone-devastated country. He is urging the military government to increase access for international relief efforts, warning that further delays could set the country back years.

Mr. Ban expressed his frustration with the pace of relief efforts in Burma, also known as Myanmar.

"Today is the 11th day since Typhoon Nargis hit Myanmar," he said. "I want to register my deep concern and immense frustration at the unacceptably slow response to this grave humanitarian crisis."    » read more »

India, ASEAN Also Need to Push Generals to Accept International Help

New York, May 10, 2008 – China, India, Thailand and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should work to convince Burma’s government to lift restrictions on international assistance so aid can reach survivors of Cyclone Nargis, Human Rights Watch said today.

Residents work with cleanup in aftermath of Cyclone Nargis: Photo by Mohd Nor Azmil Abdul Rahman (CC)    » read more »

WASHINGTON -- May 11, 2008 — Today, a commercial airplane carrying the first shipment of American Red Cross relief supplies touched down in Yangon, Myanmar, to assist survivors of cyclone Nargis. This newly arrived shipment includes an initial supply of 8,000 insecticide-treated mosquito nets to help prevent the spread of malaria.

Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, Burma: Photo by Mohd Nor Azmil Abdul Rahman (CC)    » read more »

ABOARD USS ESSEX, At Sea , May 11, 2008 – Marines and sailors with the Essex Amphibious Readiness Group are preparing for possible humanitarian assistance operations to aid cyclone-stricken Burma.

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is steaming to support potential humanitarian-assistance operations in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Burma May 1 and 2.

Marines prepare for a humanitarian mission to Burma: Photo courtesy DOD

Some estimates have put the death toll at more than 100,000. So far, the Burmese military government has allowed only one U.S. shipment of relief supplies.    » read more »