This article written on August 7th, 2013 by Reuters goes into detail regarding the process of updating the sanctions against the country of Burma (Myanmar) for the importing of gems to other countries, amidst the relaxation of sanctions due to Burma working to become a democratic state. The United States is still upholding this ban because of suspected human rights abuse within the country and working cautiously to uplift other sanctions for the country since the military government stepped aside in 2011.The article states, "We want to encourage responsible trade and investment in Burma, and at the same time we want to continue to target ... those sectors and entities and individuals that we consider to be problematic," said a U.S. official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity ( Eckert, 2013).
Without the update, the ban on gems and jewelry that contained them would have expired on July 28 due to a lapse of the general import ban under legislation known as the Burma Freedom and Democracy Act. Human rights activists and ethnic minority groups remain worried about the new government and they lobbied to keep some sanctions in place."We are strongly opposed to removing anyone from the SDN list who has not demonstrated they have cut ties with the Burmese military, military-owned businesses and returned confiscated land” ( Eckert, 2013).
In a letter to the President, many groups warned that an easing of the ban would worsen a conflict over resources that have raged since a ceasefire broke down in 2011."The prospect of huge profits to be made could encourage increased militarization and even fresh conflict as government forces seek to secure control of areas where mines are or where deposits may be," said the groups from Kachin, a state that borders China (Eckert, 2013).

Analysis of the Article The lifting of sanctions from the government of Burma is a