Press release | Sept. 14, 2016

Global Witness response to lifting of U.S. sanctions on Myanmar

“The overturning of US sanctions is a major setback for efforts to clean up Myanmar’s notoriously corrupt and abusive business environment, and attract responsible investment to lift the next generation out of poverty. Lifting restrictions before the new government’s reforms have borne fruit effectively invites US companies to do business with some of the worst figures from the country's past, who still control key sectors like jade.  The US urgently needs a plan to support Myanmar’s clean-up of these sectors, without the leverage of sanctions,” said Juman Kubba of Global Witness.

For Global Witness' investigations into the widespread corruption and abuses  in Myanmar's jade trade, see our "Jade: Myanmar's Big State Secret" investigation. 

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