The US relaxed a ban on Thursday which previously suspended entry of Myanmar officials to the United States in an effort to “strengthen and encourage reform” in Myanmar. (more…)
The Obama administration extended Thursday by one year targeted U.S. sanctions against Myanmar to prevent backsliding on democratic reforms. (more…)
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Burma that was declared on May 20, 1997, is to continue in effect beyond May 20, 2013.
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Worried that ethnic cleansing may take place without international attention, Anonymous is preparing an operation in support of Myanmar’s minority Muslim Rohingya ethnic group, possibly targeting government officials.
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While welcoming the most recent efforts of Myanmar’s Government to look into the sectarian violence that erupted last year in Rakhine state, a United Nations expert today stressed that much more needs to be done to end discrimination and hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
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The United States is moving to boost trade ties with Myanmar days after the European Union lifted sanctions as companies seek access to the reformed military dictatorship.
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On April 22, Ambassador Yang Houlan met with the chair of Myanmar National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon, and exchanged views on the prospects for reform, development of Myanmar, and on how to strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation. (more…)
Yesterday, an academic seminar on Myanmar agricultural development and Sino-Myanmar agricultural cooperation was held in Kunming. The seminar was co-hosted by the Myanmar Studies Center of Yunnan University and Oxfam Hong Kong. (more…)
Amid a damning new report showing official Myanmar complicity in ethnically cleansing entire Muslim towns and villages, the world’s foremost Buddhist leader has a message to the Buddhist monks accused of spearheading the violence.
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The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) urges the European Union (EU) to maintain the current level of sanctions on Burma until the Government of Burma takes further steps to demonstrate its commitment to peace, political reform, and respect for human rights.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) will grant Burmese President Thein Sein its annual ‘In Pursuit of Peace’ award at a prestigious gala dinner in New York on Monday in recognition of the democratic reforms and peace efforts that he has introduced.
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The United Nations says its Kachin Response Plan is being revised to cover humanitarian requirements and to reflect changes in the situation. The new plan is expected any day now and will extend to the end of 2013, according to a statement by UNOCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs).
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The Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, said on Sunday that the violence orchestrated against Muslims in Myanmar is “unacceptable”.
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European Union countries are poised to invest in Thilawa Special Economic zone in Myanmar along side with companies from Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore and the US, according to a recent meeting held at the township administrative office.
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The European Union is expected to lift all sanctions on Myanmar next week, except for an arms embargo, in recognition of the “remarkable process of reform” in the country, a document seen by Reuters showed on Wednesday.
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The Burmese government’s top peace negotiator for ethnic conflicts is touring the United Kingdom this week to discuss his country’s peacemaking efforts with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Secretary William Hague and other UK officials. (more…)
There are bright spots in Myanmar’s democratic transition, though human, political and religious rights are cause for concern, a British government report said.
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Major Korean banks are rushing to launch businesses in Myanmar in order to tap into new revenue sources in the rapidly-growing market. (more…)
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) yesterday urged authorities in Myanmar to allow a ministerial delegation to visit the country to discuss deadly violence against Muslims.
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The European Union (EU) should renew its suspension of sanctions against Myanmar but stop short of a total lifting of restrictive measures, ASEAN Parliamentarians said today, citing serious human rights concerns and the failure of the Myanmar government to meet EU benchmarks for reform.
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