United States announced the Partial Rollback of Sanctions on Myanmar

United States on 17 May 2012 decided to ease the stiff economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar and named the first ambassador to the former pariah state in the past 22 years. The US’ move came after Myanmar introduced a host of political reforms in the country.

Though both Republican and Democrat senators welcomed the move, the human rights activists dubbed the decision as premature as the country’s government is still dominated by its military and have hundreds of political prisoners.

Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to parliament in the elections held in April 2012. The election of Suu Kyi to the parliament prompted Western countries to ease the stiff sanctions against the Asian nation also known as Burma, which is emerging from decades of authoritarian rule and diplomatic isolation.