The Department of State is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas. We stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our legal authority. Consular Officers make every effort to routinely visit U.S. citizens in prison to monitor their heath, treatment, and access to legal representation.

Here is a sample list of attorneys practicing in Burma.

Avoid getting arrested overseas by:

• Following the laws and regulations of the country you are visiting or living in.
• Learning about laws there which might be different from the laws in the United States.

If you are arrested overseas or know a U.S. citizen who is:

• Ask the prison authorities to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
• You may also wish to reach out to the closest U.S. embassy or consulate to let us know of arrest.  Contact information for U.S. Embassy Rangoon can be found here or by going to our individual Country Specific Information pages.

Consular Assistance to U.S. Prisoners:

When a U.S. citizen is arrested overseas, he or she may be initially confused and disoriented. It can be more difficult because the prisoner is in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language, customs, or legal system. Consular officers may not reveal information regarding an individual American’s location, welfare, intentions, or problems to anyone, including family members and Congressional representatives, without the expressed written consent of that individual.

Authorization for the Release of Information Under the Privacy Act

 We can help:

• Provide a list of local attorneys who speak English. See here.
• Contact family, friends, or employers of the detained U.S. citizen with their written permission
• Visit the detained U.S. citizen regularly and provide reading materials and vitamin supplements, where appropriate
• Help ensure that prison officials are providing appropriate medical care
• Inform the detainee of local and U.S.-based resources to assist victims of crime that may be available to them