WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today
lifted sanctions against Burmese President Thein Sein and Lower House of
Parliament Speaker Thura Shwe Mann by removing them from the list of Specially
Designated Nationals (SDN). This action allows them access to
once-blocked property and assets and allows transactions involving U.S. persons
or in the United States. Today’s removal also acknowledges Thein Sein and
Thura Shwe Mann’s efforts on behalf of reform and supports U.S. national
security and foreign policy goals.
“Thein Sein and Thura Shwe Mann have taken concrete steps to
promote political reforms and human rights, and to move Burma away from repression
and dictatorship toward democracy and freedom, warranting today’s delisting
action,” said Under Secretary David S. Cohen.
Since Thein Sein took office as President of Burma in 2011,
he has supported far-reaching reforms in the country. Thein Sein has
maintained a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for
Democracy (NLD), the opposition party, granted amnesty to hundreds of political
prisoners, and overseen elections in which Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD
members won seats in Parliament.
Thura Shwe Mann has supported Thein Sein’s reforms and,
under his leadership, the Burmese Parliament has supported democratization
reforms, including passing bills granting the release of political prisoners,
and a law, in consultation with the International Labor Organization, to allow
for organized labor and formation of unions.
United States sanctions against certain senior government
officials responsible for repressive policies in Burma have been imposed in
part to signal our disapproval and to motivate such officials to abandon these
policies and support political reform and human rights.
Going forward, additional listings or delistings will be
pursued as appropriate to meet changing conditions in Burma. The United
States Government will continue to support those promoting reform in Burma, and
remains committed to preventing those who undermine or obstruct the political
reform process by seeking to perpetuate violence, oppression, and corrupt
practices from participating in our countries’ growing diplomatic and economic
ties.
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