Interviews
AAFA hails Burma import ban renewal
25 Jul '09
2 min read
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) applauded both chambers of the U.S. Congress for quickly renewing the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. In action taken July 21 by the House of Representatives (H.J. Res. 56) and July 23 by the Senate (S.J. Res. 17), the U.S. ban on imports from Burma (otherwise known as Myanmar) has been renewed for three years. The legislation will now be transmitted to the White House for signature by President Barack Obama.
“The U.S. apparel and footwear industry strongly stands behind the commitment the United States made in support of human rights,” said AAFA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “These sanctions are justified by the countless atrocities committed against the Burmese people everyday. I urge President Obama to sign this legislation immediately before the current ban expires to send a clear message that the United States does not do business with tyrannical dictators and regimes.”
“Eliminating oppression from the world market must be a multilateral effort,” Burke said. “The global community must join together and implement global sanctions to demonstrate that oppression will not be tolerated in the global marketplace.”
Background
AAFA was the first business organization to call for the original ban on all U.S. imports from Burma in 2003 and has been a strong advocate for its renewal in subsequent years. The current House bill (H.J. Res. 56) is sponsored by Representatives Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and Peter King (R-NY) and lead sponsors for the Senate version (S.J. Res. 17) are Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY). These resolutions maintain import restrictions against the ruling military junta in Burma for three years.
While the current import ban is set to expire on July 26, 2009, Burma continues to be cited by numerous organizations and governments for widespread human rights violations.
“The U.S. apparel and footwear industry strongly stands behind the commitment the United States made in support of human rights,” said AAFA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “These sanctions are justified by the countless atrocities committed against the Burmese people everyday. I urge President Obama to sign this legislation immediately before the current ban expires to send a clear message that the United States does not do business with tyrannical dictators and regimes.”
“Eliminating oppression from the world market must be a multilateral effort,” Burke said. “The global community must join together and implement global sanctions to demonstrate that oppression will not be tolerated in the global marketplace.”
Background
AAFA was the first business organization to call for the original ban on all U.S. imports from Burma in 2003 and has been a strong advocate for its renewal in subsequent years. The current House bill (H.J. Res. 56) is sponsored by Representatives Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and Peter King (R-NY) and lead sponsors for the Senate version (S.J. Res. 17) are Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY). These resolutions maintain import restrictions against the ruling military junta in Burma for three years.
While the current import ban is set to expire on July 26, 2009, Burma continues to be cited by numerous organizations and governments for widespread human rights violations.
American Apparel & Footwear Association
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