House passes the bill to impose sanctions on Burmese Military Junta
by Dr. Aslam Abdullah
Congress passed H.R 3190 on the government of Maynamad imposing sanctions, limiting security assistance and authorizing assistance to Rohingyas. The bill also allowed the establishment of various programs and strategies related to Mayanmar. The bill says that the President shall impose sanctions against current or former officials who are responsible for or who supported serious human rights abuses in Burma, as well as against entities controlled by such officials and military-linked entities that provide such officials significant financial benefits. The sanctions shall include asset blocking and visa blocking.
Itl authorizes humanitarian aid for Burma, Bangladesh, and the surrounding region for various purposes, including aid for ethnic minorities targeted by Burma’s military and support for voluntary resettlement of displaced persons. The bill also prohibits security assistance for or security cooperation with Burma’s military and security forces, with exceptions for certain existing programs related to training, research, and reconciliation. It further says that the Department of State shall maintain a publicly available website listing entities in Burma’s gemstone sector that meet certain transparency and due-diligence requirements related to ownership, control, and supply-chain standards.
The State Department shall also issue guidance for U.S. companies as to best practices for supply-chain due diligence when dealing with Burmese gemstone entities. The State Department shall report to Congress on topics including (1) accountability for war crimes in Burma, (2) a strategy for promoting economic development in Burma, and (3) a strategy for U.S. engagement with Burma’s military and security forces.
The bill was passed by 394 to 21. All those who voted no on the bill were Republicans. 224 Democrats and 170 Republicans voted yes. 18 did not vote. They included 10 democrats and 8 Republicans.
The bill now goes to Senate
2019
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