Should International Sanctions on Burma be lifted?

Image source: WikiCommons Credit to: Htoo Tay Zar

On Monday the European Union (EU) lifted its economic sanctions on Burma (Myanmar), although an arms embargo is still in place. This act comes inline with other international institutions and states that have over the last year or so lifted their own sanctions on Burma. For instance, last year the United States, suspended some sanctions and relaxed trade restrictions between both countries. Much of these sanctions have been in place for a number of decades, ever since Burma has been under military rule. During this time, the Burmese people suffered under the sanctions, which prevented any direct foreign investment and trade with the international community, and slowed economic development.

Since 2011, the military junta has been on a campaign of economic, political and social reforms, culminating in the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who had been under house arrest for almost 19 years. On top of Suu Kyi’s release, the military generals progressed with a new constitution, allowing for the first time, opposition groups to hold seats in parliament. Even though, the military still hold over half the seats and govern over state affairs, Aung San Suu  Kyi  has become a member of parliament and has a voice in national decision making.

I agree with the lifting of some of the economic sanctions by the international community, but I am a little sceptical of the future intentions of the military junta in Burma. Foreign placed sanctions on countries over a long period, such as the one in Burma, has some short term effects to pressuring regimes to reform and tackle issues of human rights, but in the long term, the sanctions can bring further misery on the people, not the authorities which the sanctions target. On my second point, the Burmese government have began showing signs that they will begin a process of reform, but I do think that the international community needs to be vigilant in how much leeway to give to  the Burmese government in regards to carrying out the planned reforms. Before more international institutions or countries start lifting sanctions on Burma, further reforms, especially in regards to human rights abuses needs to be actively addressed.