Wednesday, March 30, 2005
US condemns Burma on political and human rights issues
Press Trust of India
Washington, March 30, 2005
Condemning Burmese government on its political and human rights issues, United States has said American sanctions against the nation will be maintained "until there is significant progress toward political transition and genuine respect for human rights".
US sanctions will be maintained "until there is significant progress toward political transition and genuine respect for human rights or until a democratically elected government in Burma requests that they be lifted," a seven-page report released by the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs said.
As a result of the Burmese junta's blatant disregard for human rights, its intolerance of dissent and its ongoing efforts to perpetuate military rule, prospects for meaningful political change and reform continued to decline over the past six months, the report said.
Egregious abuses of ethnic minority civilians by the Burmese military, including rape, torture, execution and forced relocation continued, it said.
However, US praised Burma's "cooperation on counter-terrorism issues". US also "noted the GOB's (Government of Burma's) growing cooperation with states of the region on narcotics issues.
In 2004-05, the report noted, the US provided USD two million to address the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in Burma by funding NGOs to undertake prevention and care activities. No assistance is provided to the government through this programme, it said.
© HT Media Ltd. 2004.