Singapore - Time to lift Myanmar sanctions

There is some basis for scepticism surrounding Myanmar's recent release of 300 political prisoners. The move still leaves about 2,000 behind bars. There is no assurance that it is not a shadow play to secure the 2014 Asean chairmanship.

In the months ahead, hardliners in the military will also resist any form of political reform that would compromise their positions. Weary Myanmar watchers will also point out that previous reform and openings were only followed by subsequent crackdowns.

This time, however, the scope and depth of the reforms have been sweeping, and warrant a serious look. The release comes in the wake of the government's increasing dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, growing tolerance of criticism and calls for peace with ethnic minority groups. In November, the country held historic (albeit stage-managed) elections and released Ms Suu Kyi. Even the government's press censor has suggested that he put himself out of commission, given that censorship of the press is "not in harmony with democratic practices". Such a stab at reform is bold indeed in the Myanmar context.

This is where the West needs to play a role. For the longest time, the United States, Europe and Australia have said that the freeing of political prisoners is an essential step for the lifting of the vise of sanctions on Myanmar. No doubt, only a fraction of Myanmar's political prisoners were released, but the move - issuing as it does from the broader context of political reform - is certainly a step in the right direction. Last month, Myanmar suspended the construction of a China-backed dam worth US$3.6 billion - a move that could signal it wants the West to play a significant role in the country, no matter how useful China is as a strategic ally and investor.

It has already been proven quite conclusively that using punitive sanctions to change the behaviour of targeted states is ineffective. In Myanmar's case, sanctions have only made the junta more obdurate, lined the pockets of well-connected leaders and adversely affected the country's poor. As the International Crisis Group contends in a recent report, sanctions have encouraged a siege mentality among Myanmar's leadership and harmed ordinary Myanmarese. A faster pace of political change - as evidenced in Myanmar this year - would only undermine the case for sanctions, it argued.

In January, Asean was right on the money when it called on the West to lift the sanctions on Myanmar. Nine months is a long time in politics, and Myanmar has already gone a long way to show its sincerity. It is time for the West to reconsider.

News Desk

The Straits Times

Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.