Amnesty International USA Welcomes Markup of Burma Act


Legislation holding senior level Myanmar military officials accountable for mass atrocities against the Rohingya passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee today. The BURMA Act (HR 5819) also urges the Myanmar government to cooperate with the United Nations fact-finding mission, provide access to humanitarian aid groups, facilitate the return of the Rohingya, and release Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo.


Francisco Bencosme, advocacy manager for Asia Pacific at Amnesty International USA, issued this statement:


“We commend the House Foreign Affairs Committee, especially the lead co-sponsors, Representative Engel and Representative Chabot, for overcoming this key hurdle.


“Congress needs to send a signal to the Myanmar military that it cannot act with impunity. This legislation is a crucial step towards addressing the systematic and widespread human rights abuses and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya that have been well documented by Amnesty International.


“This legislation also speaks to the urgent need to protect freedom of expression in Myanmar by releasing journalists like Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. People should be able to report on atrocities without being put behind bars.


“We urge the entire House of Representatives to pass this bill and the Senate to follow suit.”


On World Press Freedom Day, Amnesty International USA launched a campaign calling for the release of Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo.


Last February, over 300 Amnesty members and supporters from nearly 40 states met with members of Congress to ask them to pass the Burma Human Rights and Freedom Act of 2018 (S. 2060) and the BURMA Act of 2017 (HR 4223).

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