We, the undersigned organizations, write to express our concern regarding the recent report by Human Rights Watch that reveals that the U.S. government “plans to announce the lifting of key sanctions during Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit to Washington, DC,” beginning on September 13. Despite the marked democratic progress and peacebuilding activities that have taken place in Burma since last November’s election—which we applaud—there remain a number of pressing issues threatening the stability of the country and its most vulnerable people. These issues are deeply concerning as they include the severest of human rights abuses, and progress on these dire matters should be required to lift further sanctions…

In support of the Burmese people, and in particular, ethnic minority groups who have been sidelined for years, we urge you to retain the remaining sanctions in Burma until:

a) the Burmese Army ceases violations of international humanitarian law;

b) there is substantive and observable progress in peace talks, prioritizing civil society, women, and youth inclusion;

c) the Burmese government addresses the lack of citizenship for Rohingya and proves willing and capable of protecting the Rohingya from persecution;

d) natural resource dividends are managed properly and shared between regional governments and the national government and;

e) the 2008 constitution is reformed to give full power to the people of Burma…