Prospects for Backtracking in Burma

Prospects for Backtracking in Burma

February 29, 2012

http://www.heritage.org/events/2012/02/burma

A series of reforms and political prisoner amnesties in Burma has elicited praise from the international community, triggered visits from Secretary Clinton and Senator McConnell, prompted the restoration of full diplomatic relations with the United States, and raised the specter of repealing longstanding sanctions. Yet the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burma, Tomás Ojea Quintana, warned that there remains a risk of “backtracking” on recent reforms, highlighted by continued ethnic violence, disputed ceasefires, and restrictions placed upon former political prisoners. All eyes will be closely monitoring Aung San Suu Kyi’s run in the April 1 Parliamentary by-election, as doubts exist whether the election will be free and fair.

Against this backdrop, please join us as our eminently qualified panel of experts discusses the prospects for backtracking, highlights benchmarks for continued U.S. engagement, and raises expectations for further reform in Burma.

More About the Speakers

Lorne Craner, President, International Republican Institute

Aung Din, Executive Director, U.S. Campaign for Burma

Jared Genser, Founder and President, Freedom Now

Hosted By

Walter Lohman Director, Asian Studies Center