Despite Ms. Suu Kyi's release, which many hoped would spark an improvement in human rights standards, widespread political repression, human rights abuses, abject poverty, forced labor, and summary executions continue unabated. Most foreign revenue is derived from natural gas and oil reserves. Saying, 'We know they're doing it, but we're not doing it', doesn't let you off the hook. If you know it's being done, you're ethically responsible for it. It's your responsibility to mitigate the harm they're doing to those people.
Many economists believe that investment in Burma is just bad business.
Tough sanctions, not 'constructive engagement', finally brought the release of Nelson Mandela and the dawn of a new era in my country. They need to be reminded that this is one of the most brutal military regimes in the world and putting money into the country now is simply supporting a system that is severely harmful to the people of Burma. We ask that all corporations not engage in any business in Burma until a democratic government is in place. Write or call the CEOs of Unocal and Total.