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Investors Urge Administration to Take Cautious Approach to Lifting Sanctions on Burma

Burma will remain a volatile area for business investment if the Obama Administration broadly relaxes U.S. sanctions, according to a dozen investors collectively managing more than $115 billion in assets. In a letter to President Obama, the investors cited concerns about the risk of derailing progress toward democracy and respect for human rights, stating that “without the rule of law or constitutional assurances that the judiciary will protect property or investments, Burma remains a volatile area for business investment.”

Human Rights Groups Hold Demonstrations, Demand Additional Sanctions on Sudan as Atrocities Escalate

Demonstrations will be held in New York City and Washington, D.C. as part of a week of action. Around the world, activists will show their solidarity with the people of Sudan and help to highlight the crisis with a Facebook action on Friday, April 27. They will post a special image indicating that they have taken action to “Stop Weapons of Mass Starvation” in Sudan and urge their networks to follow suit.

Tom Andrews expands community organizing to the world

Andrews lives in Washington, D.C., these days, where he runs United to End Genocide, a coalition of human rights and religious groups that raises public awareness about abuses, pressing the governments of the United States and other countries to keep up pressure on the repressive governments that use mass murder and terror to maintain control.

In addition to Sudan, Andrews has also been active in Myanmar, where he sneaked accross the Chinese border and witnessed sham elections that were closed to foreign observers and the media.

US Officials Argue Sanctions Policy on Burma

The official’s response came as the dozen investors released their collective letter on May 11 arguing that they do not believe that immediate relaxation of US sanctions would best serve the goal of achieving progress toward democracy and respect for human rights in Burma.

“As institutional investors, financial service providers and related stakeholders, we are concerned about the risks posed by the potential broad relaxation of US sanctions and the ban on financial transactions and investments in Burma,” the letter said.