|
"We welcome the lifting of EU sanctions and the restoration of GSP status," said Myint Soe, chairman of the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association and vice chairman of the Union of Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a lobby group. "This will be a big boost to Myanmar's garment industry." Some human rights groups, however, argue that Western nations are moving too swiftly to re-engage, thus losing valuable leverage to pressure the government to address ongoing human rights violations. Washington revoked Myanmar's GSP privileges in 1989, over concerns about labor rights. Marantis said he emphasized the importance of ending forced labor and allowing workers to organize, as well as protecting intellectual property
-- all conditions for gaining GSP approval -- in his meetings with Myanmar officials this week. He said he also began negotiating a formal framework for trade and investment dialogue with top Myanmar officials on Thursday. Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, urged the U.S. to thoroughly examine Myanmar's progress on labor rights. He said there are still significant problems with forced labor, particularly in remote areas, and some unions have difficulty organizing. An overly hasty reinstatement of GSP, he said, "would undermine the ability of the U.S. government to push for improved respect for labor rights." He said military engagement was "clearly premature." Human Rights Watch says the military continues to target civilians and engage in torture, sexual slavery and extrajudicial killings. "Why is there a presumption the Burmese military wants to reform?" he said. "What's the evidentiary basis for that? Is this the U.S. government and international community just seeing what they want to see?"
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2013 The Associated
Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor