Canada's Policy on Burma
Canada’s policy towards Burma is a direct reflection of the severe problems that the regime has created for its people, and the security concerns that the policies of its leadership and the actions of its armed forces pose for the international community. Foremost among these concerns is the mistreatment of the people of Burma, who are deprived of fundamental human rights and denied a legitimate voice in the way they are governed.
Human rights abuses in Burma are well documented, including by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. Further, the humanitarian situation created by the regime is severe. Despite being resource-rich, Burma is rated 132th out of 169 in the UN’s 2010 Human Development Index.
Canada is committed to supporting civil society and democratic actors in Burma in their work toward a better future for all Burmese people. Canada continues to urge the regime to unconditionally release all political prisoners, and to engage in genuine dialogue with members of the democratic opposition and ethnic groups.
Throughout the 2010 electoral process in Burma, Canada repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to conduct a free, fair, inclusive and transparent electoral process in line with international standards and democratic principles. This did not happen.
Canada is continuing to work with allies and partners in the international community and civil society to find the best approaches to fostering democracy and respect for human rights in Burma. We will continue to support those Burmese working to promote human rights and a transition to genuine democracy for the people of Burma.
The bilateral measures and multilateral efforts undertaken by Canada in response to the Burmese military regime’s mistreatment of its people include:
- On December 13, 2007, Canada imposed the toughest sanctions in the world against Burma in order to exert pressure against the military regime in response to the violent crackdown on protestors which took place in September, 2007. Subject to certain exceptions, the measures implemented by the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations include:
* a ban on all goods exported from Canada to Burma, excepting only the export of humanitarian goods;
* a ban on all goods imported from Burma into Canada;
* a freeze on assets in Canada of any designated Burmese nationals connected with the Burmese state; and
* a ban on new investment in Burma by Canadian persons and companies. - In October, 2007, Parliament passed a motion conferring honorary citizenship on Aung San Suu Kyi. She is one of only five people to have received this distinction.
- In July, 2003, in response to the continued harassment and imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her political party, Canada imposed restrictive measures targeting senior members of the regime. Under these measures, the Burmese leadership, senior government officials and members of the military are to be denied visas for admission to Canada.
- In January, 2003, Burma was excluded from Canada’s Least Developed Country (LDC) market access initiative, which eliminates most duties and quotas on imports from the other 48 Least Developed Countries.
- Since 1988, Canada has banned the export of arms and limited all other exports to humanitarian goods. Official Development Assistance to Burma has also been suspended since that time.
Through whole of government efforts, Canada is working to strengthen democratic forces and civil society, as well as addressing the humanitarian needs of those who have sought refuge outside of Burma. This work is being undertaken inside Burma and on its borders with neighbouring countries.
- Through a $15.9M CIDA program (over five years), Canada provides assistance to support Burmese refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons through organisations operating in border countries (Thailand, Bangladesh, India and China) and delivered through Canadian NGOs.
- With contributions of more than $500,000 to independent media and other groups, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s Glyn Berry Program for Peace and Security is working to increase the knowledge and capacity of democratic actors and the people of Burma.
- Through initiatives of the Embassy of Canada in Bangkok, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is supporting projects to strengthen and partner with civil society, particularly Burmese youth and women.
- The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives for Burma-related projects in Thailand supports small scale, community-led projects relating to Burma ($120,000 in 2010-2011). It focuses on projects related to human rights, good governance and democratic development.
- Following the devastation caused by Cyclone Giri in October 2010, Canada responded with $500,000 in humanitarian aid to be administered by Save the Children Canada and Médecins Sans Frontières Canada. This contribution will provide basic health care services to the disaster-affected population and distribute emergency shelter material and essential non-food items to families who lost their homes in the cyclone.
- In response to the humanitarian needs of the people of Burma following Cyclone Nargis in 2008, Canada contributed $25M to relief efforts through Canadian and international partners. Ordinary Canadians who cared about the plight of the affected people contributed an additional $11.6M to these efforts, an amount matched by the government of Canada.
- Since 2006, over 4,000 Karen refugees from Burma have been resettled to Canada.
Canada believes that the most effective way to bring about change in Burma is by working in conjunction with the international community. Canada is active in the United Nations, raising concerns about the situation in Burma, including at the UN Human Rights Council. Canada supports the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Dr. Tomás Ojea Quintana, and will work with our allies in the international community to develop a common approach to support his recommendations.Further, Canada has supported, and will continue to support, the ongoing scrutiny of Burma’s forced labour practices by the International Labour Organization. Canada actively encourages other nations, particularly Burma’s immediate neighbours and ASEAN partners to press Burma’s rulers to respect the human rights of its population.
The Government of Canada remains deeply concerned by the situation in Burma and is firmly committed to promoting democratic reform. Canada’s Foreign Minister and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade have conveyed this message to Burmese authorities at every available opportunity. Recent statements by Minister Cannon include:
- statement in response to the Burmese Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss an appeal by the National League for Democracy (January 28, 2011),
- statement of concern following the elections (November 8, 2010),
- statement prior to the elections (November 5, 2010),
- statement in response to the official dissolution of political parties in Burma (September 16, 2010),
- statement in response to the announcement of the election date (August 14, 2010),
- statement at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference in July 2010 (July 23, 2010), and
- statement in response to the release of Burma’s election laws (March 11, 2010).
Updated March 2011
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