Statement on the Enactment of the BURMA Act of 2022 (NDAAFY23)

Statement on the Enactment of the BURMA Act of 2022 (NDAAFY23)

December 23, 2022

Washington, DC — Today, December 23, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Burma Unified Through Rigorous Military Accountability Act (BURMA Act) of 2022 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 (H.R. 7776). The Act will end on September 30, 2023. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) included the key provisions of the Burma Act of 2021 to the NDAA.

The Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) issues the following the statement.

1. CAM strongly welcomes the BURMA Act of 2022, which CAM has been supporting and advocating for the passage of, for the Act will strengthen the efforts to end the military rule in Burma and establish a federal democratic union.
2. CAM is grateful especially to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), House Foreign Affairs Asia-Pacific Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH), and Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) who introduced the BURMA Act of 2021 on October 5, 2021. CAM has been supportive of it and urging Congress to pass the Act (see CAM’s statement).
3. The support would strengthen the efforts to end the military junta. The key provision of the Act mentions to support “the efforts of the National Unity Government (NUG), the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the Burmese Civil Disobedience Movement, and other entities in Burma and in other countries to oppose the Burmese military and bring about an end to the military junta’s rule”.
4. The Act also mentions that the U.S. will provide technical assistance and non-lethal aid to the ethnic armed organizations and other armed organizations. The non-lethal aid could include communications equipment, medical supplies, intelligence assistance, body armor, and infrastructure.
5. The Act includes the policy of the United States in supporting the activities and programs on federalism, democracy, minority rights, religious freedom, human rights, justice, accountability, and transitional justice and securing the unconditional release of all unlawfully detained individuals. These are critical in the struggle to end the military junta in Burma.
6. In addition to working with the UN bodies, the Act mentions “working with like-minded partners to impose a coordinated arms embargo on the Burmese military and targeted sanctions on the economic interests of the Burmese military”.

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