Australia easing Burma sanctions

AUSTRALIA is easing its sanctions against Burma in recognition of its moves toward democratic reform.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd says the government has decided to reduce the number of Burmese figures to whom Australia’s autonomous financial and travel sanctions currently apply.

Mr Rudd says the changes are an acknowledgement that Burma has taken important steps towards democratisation and greater engagement with the region.

But the decision has angered Burma human rights campaigners in Australia, who say the government should wait to see wider change before rewarding Burma’s military-backed government.

Mr Rudd says the revised sanctions list reflects changes to Burma’s government and military structures.

“Australia retains the ability to add individuals to the sanctions list at any time but members of Burma’s new government, who were not previously on Australia’s sanctions list, will not be listed at this time,” Mr Rudd said on Monday in a statement.

Former government ministers and deputy ministers no longer in politics will be removed from the list, as will tourism officials.

An arms embargo will remain in place.

Mr Rudd says he hopes recent positive developments – such as increased participation of opposition parties, the release of political prisoners and new laws to legalise trade unions – will continue.

The government will keep its sanctions list under review as the situation in Burma continues to evolve.

But The Burma Campaign Australia’s Zetty Brake said she was disappointed by the government’s move.

“It is not appropriate for sanctions to be eased at this time,” she told AAP.

“Moreover, Australia’s announcement to ease sanctions is out of step with the actions of the United States, United Kingdom and European Union, who have all recently said that they will maintain sanctions against Burma until there is more reform.”

Mr Brake said it was true about 200 political prisoners had been released – but more than 1500 remained behind bars.

“It’s giving a reward while there are still questions about how genuine these reforms are.”

Mr Rudd said the government was in discussion with leading democracy champion leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others regarding Australia’s sanctions policy and political developments in Burma.

“There is much progress still to be made in Burma, and Australia continues to urge the release of all political prisoners, free and fair by-elections and the peaceful resolution of ethnic conflicts in Burma,” he said.

Suu Kyi was freed from seven years of house arrest in November 2010.

A nominally civilian government replaced the long-ruling military junta in March last year but parliament is still composed mainly of military figures and the ruling army-backed party. - AAP