[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 11, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   BURMESE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2010

  Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I am proud to join with so many of my 
colleagues in introducing this bipartisan extension of the Burmese 
Freedom and Democracy Act. It is abundantly clear that we need tougher 
and a more robust application of sanctions on Burma, and we need to 
start soon because the Burmese regime continues to commit crimes 
against humanity and war crimes against its people.
  Many of us in this Congress, as well as credible human rights 
organizations, have been saying this for years, but now even the United 
Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma has said that it is 
highly likely the regime has committed crimes. This is a regime that 
has destroyed or forced the abandonment of 3,500 villages, raped 
countless ethnic minority women and recruited thousands of child 
soldiers. There is no shortage of evidence of these crimes--which 
continue to this day. It is my hope the Administration will support the 
United Nations' findings, both by acknowledging the Burmese regime is 
committing crimes against humanity and by seeking a strong 
international investigation.
  I am also concerned that the Burmese military regime has completely 
rejected true cooperation with the legitimate leaders of Burma--Aung 
San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy. The regime recently 
released a new constitution and electoral law that makes it impossible 
for Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi to run for office. The 
Burmese regime's ``laws'' makes a mockery of constitutionalism, and for 
that reason Aung San Suu Kyi's political party is simply not able to 
register to participate in the election.
  We must stand with Aung San Suu Kyi and the legitimate leaders of 
Burma and show our support through concrete actions--by implementing 
tougher sanctions and action on crimes against humanity--moves that 
have real teeth. When I led the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, 
which was signed into law in 2008, I believed the Administration should 
use the measure to implement tough sanctions--now is the time for that 
implementation to begin.
  Lastly, I would like to convey a message to Aung San Suu Kyi and the 
people of Burma: the people and Congress of the United States stand 
with you. We will not waver in our support for your struggle.
  Aung San Suu Kyi has appealed to the world to support the fight for 
human rights and democracy, stating ``Please, use your liberty to 
promote ours.'' It is time for us to re-double our efforts for a 
better, more democratic Burma, and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
the expeditious passage of this legislation.