Philippines calls for end to Burma sanctions

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 19:48 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – The Philippines has called on the West to end sanctions against Burma, because of its “unprecedented political and economic reforms.”

A staunch critic of the former Burmese military regime, the Philippines said in a foreign affairs statement the recent political prisoners’ amnesty justifies the removal of sanctions.

“This action demonstrates the political resolve and commitment of the Thein Sein Government to nurture an environment for an enduring national reconciliation and democracy,” said a statement issued on Wednesday by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“The Philippines views that the unprecedented political and economic reforms now underway in Myanmar should find reciprocal gesture from the international community and that international sanctions against Myanmar should already be lifted.”

The West, led by Europe and the United States, has imposed economic sanctions against the then Burmese junta since the 1990s for gross human rights violations and failure to institute democratic reforms.