PRESS CONTACT
Han Seth Lu
Director of Communications
communications@studentsforfreeburma.org
SFB WELCOMES THE PASSING OF THE BURMA ACT OF 2021 IN THE U.S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND URGES U.S. SENATE TO DO THE SAME
(San Francisco, California) – Students for Free Burma (SFB) welcomes the passing of the Burma Act of 2021 (H.R.5497) in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 06, 2022. We are pleased to see that the U.S. House of Representatives had taken a crucial step in reaffirming that the United States stands firm to help protect and defend democracy and human rights in Burma.
We commend the leadership and support of House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX), House Foreign Affairs Asia-Pacific Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH), and members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in securing the passage of the Burma Act in the House of Representatives.
The passage of the bill in the House of Representatives is a welcomed step. “The news of the passage of the BURMA Act in the House brings us fuel and renewed energy for our movement against the regime,” said Me Me Khant, Executive Director and Founder of Students for Free Burma. “But I worry that despite our push, the progress in the Senate has been slow and unsatisfying.”
The Burma Act of 2021 calls for accountability for the mass atrocities and human rights violations committed by the Burmese military against the people of Burma since the military coup on February 01, 2021. The bill also authorizes the much-needed help and assistance to the people of Burma, Burma’s pro-democracy forces, civil society organizations, and humanitarian organizations. Additionally, the Burma Act targets the military’s sources of revenue through sanctions.
Given the dire situation in Burma and the urgent need for decisive actions to support the people of Burma in their hours of greatest need, the U.S. Senate must proceed with the Burma Act of 2021(S.2937) and pass the bill. “The people of Burma, including our friends and family back home, have been tirelessly resisting the illegitimate military coup for over a year now. Time is of the essence, and we cannot afford to wait any longer,” added Me Me Khant.
The future of democracy in Burma and the lives of our people are at stake. We strongly encourage the U.S. Senate, especially our Republican allies in the Senate, to cosponsor the Burma Act and pass the bill swiftly in support of democracy and the people of Burma.