http://democraticleader.house.gov

Friday, June 13, 2003
Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-225-0100

Pelosi: Calls for Sanctions on Burma, Immediate Release of Aung San Suu Kyi

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today called for immediate passage of H.R. 2330, the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, following passage of a similar measure in the Senate this week by a vote of 97 to 1. Last night, the House International Relations Committee approved H.R. 2330, introduced by Congressman Tom Lantos of California. Pelosi also called for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and members of the National League for Democracy, who have been detained since May 30.

"I am deeply concerned about the capture and continued detention of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) by the Union Solidarity and Development Association, the political arm of Burma's ruling military regime. In addition to taking Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters into 'protective custody,' the regime undertook a nationwide crackdown, raiding NLD offices in at least three cities.

"This attempt by Burma's military regime to silence these brave and eloquent voices for democracy is reprehensible. Aung San Suu Kyi, her party leaders, and supporters must be immediately released, and the regime must honor the results of the internationally recognized 1990 general election, which was won in a landslide by the NLD, led by Suu Kyi.

"I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join the Senate in working to free Suu Kyi and the people of Burma by passing the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. Approved by the House International Relations Committee and passed by the Senate this week, this legislation is in direct response to the ongoing egregious human rights violations that the Burmese people continue to suffer by the hands of the brutal military regime.

"This bill will stop the rapidly increasing imports into the U.S. of all articles produced, grown, or manufactured in Burma. These sales provide U.S. dollars to fuel the inhuman Burmese military machinery of suppression through forced labor, child labor, rape, persecution of ethnic minorities, and the detention of over 1,850 political prisoners. This legislation sends a message to these tyrants that their actions are not acceptable to the world community.

"Respect for human rights is the foundation for freedom and justice in the world, and we cannot rest until basic, fundamental human rights are achieved in Burma. I will stand by the democratic reformers and freedom-seeking people of Burma until their just cause is won."