Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today introduced a joint resolution with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to renew the U.S. import ban on Burma for one year.

The resolution calls for the renewal of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, which includes an import ban on Burmese goods entering the United States.

“Over the past year, we have seen some remarkable changes in Burma after years of violence and repression,” said Senator Feinstein. “But the government of Burma still has a lot of work to do to demonstrate to us, the international community and, above all, the people of Burma that it is truly committed to reform, democratization and national reconciliation.”

Senator Feinstein continues to call on Burma to end human rights violations, release all political prisoners, allow freedom of speech and permit the peaceful exercise of religion.

“While some political prisoners have been released and Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy were allowed to compete in by-elections, these reforms are not irreversible and the government of Burma must do more,” Feinstein continued. “It must move to limit the role of the military under the new constitution, stop violence against ethnic minorities and release all political prisoners.”

Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives. A copy of the Feinstein-McConnell resolution is available here.

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