Lantos Announces Tough New Sanctions to Halt Imports of Burmese Gemstones

Lantos Announces Tough New Sanctions to Halt Imports of Burmese Gemstones

Washington, DC – Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, announced today that he will introduce sanctions designed to pressure the military junta currently ruling Burma. The sanctions package, known as the Block Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act, will crack down on the Burmese practice of avoiding U.S. sanctions by laundering gemstones through third countries before they are sold. More than 90 percent of the world’s rubies and fine-quality jade comes from Burma.

“Burmese rubies sold in the United States are laundered through third countries to avoid our sanctions, but nothing can wash away the moral stain of supporting this illicit market,” Lantos said. “There is a direct link between these blood-red gemstones and the bloodied robes of monks who were brutally suppressed when they took to the streets to demand democracy and human rights. It is high time for the world to reject Burmese gemstones, because their sale funds the ruling junta’s ongoing campaign of brutality against its own citizens.”

More:

http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/press_display.asp?id=433