PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 23, 2023
PRESS CONTACT
Han Seth Lu
communications@studentsforfreeburma.org
Washington, DC – Students For Free Burma (SFB) welcomes that the BURMA Act of 2022, also known as the “Burma Unified Through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2022,” has been signed into law by President Biden today, as part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This is a significant action taken by the U.S. Congress for Burma, and we are thrilled to see it finally come to fruition.
The passing of the BURMA Act in the NDAA is a step in the right direction to hold the Burmese military accountable for their brutal and illegal February 1st, 2021 coup and subsequent atrocities that have cost over 2,500 lives and displaced over a million people. Most importantly, it sends a clear, encouraging message to the people of Burma that they are not alone in their fight for democracy.
Key provisions of the act include the codification and extension of targeted sanctions on members of the ruling junta, a pledge of support to anti-junta forces – mentioning by name the National Unity Government (NUG), the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), and authorization of humanitarian and other assistance for Burma which includes support for civil society organizations, military defectors, non-lethal assistance to the Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and their affiliates and People Defense Forces (PDFs), and programs and operations to assist federal democracy and reconciliation efforts.
“We would like to extend our sincere congratulations and thanks to all those who worked tirelessly to pass this important legislation in the past one and a half years,” says Me Me Khant, the Executive Director of SFB. “The milestone today would not have been possible without efforts from the members of the U.S. Congress, congressional staff, the CSOs, and NGOs who are our advocacy partners, and the Burmese diaspora community across the U.S.”
We especially thank Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), and Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH), who led the introduction of the original draft BURMA Act in both Senate and the House, paving way for its modified version to become law as part of the NDAA 2023 today.
As an advocacy group dedicated to advocating for democracy, freedom, and human rights in Burma, we are proud to support this important legislation. While we celebrate the milestone today, we want to reiterate our calls that the Biden administration must recognize the National Unity Government (NUG) as the sole legitimate government of Burma, place long-awaited sanctions on the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), and swiftly implement the provisions of the Burma Act in the NDAA.
Students for Free Burma (SFB)
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Students for Free Burma (SFB) is a collective of Burmese activists, scholars, and students based in the U.S. and supporters working to advocate for democracy, freedom, and human rights in Burma.