Press Statement
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
October 28, 2005

Burma - the Forced Labor Situation

The U.S. is deeply troubled by a report issued today by the International Labor Organization (ILO), which highlights the Burmese regime's unwillingness to cooperate with the international community and details actions it took to intimidate the ILO.

The regime organized anti-ILO rallies, refused to investigate numerous death threats against the ILO Liaison Officer in Burma, and handed down a prison sentence against a member of the democratic opposition who successfully sued local officials earlier this year for their imposition of forced labor.

The report also notes that the Burmese regime expressed its intent to withdraw from the ILO.

We commend the ILO for its efforts in Burma to help eradicate forced labor, and condemn the Burmese regime's continuing violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.