Myanmar junta not invited to G7-ASEAN ministerial meeting – the Irrawaddy
The Myanmar regime will not be invited to attend the upcoming G7-ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in person, the UK has said. The UK is serving as the G7’s host nation this year, reports the Irrawaddy.
Anna Roberts, executive director of Burma Campaign UK, said not being invited to the G7 ASEAN summit in the UK was another blow to the efforts of the Myanmar military to gain international legitimacy following the coup. “We urge them not to allow the military to take part via video link either. The military have no legitimacy as the representative of Burma [Myanmar] and should have no place at international diplomatic meetings.”
Myanmar forces spyware on to all phones in ‘death sentence for activists’ – the Telegraph
Norwegian telecoms firm Telenor is set to pull out of Burma over demands it run software that would allow the army to eavesdrop on private communications. The Lebanese investment firm M1 will likely step in to fill the gap, reports the Telegraph.
Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, called on Telenor to “stick it out and refuse to implement” what the Junta is demanding. “People are genuinely afraid for their safety, and there are people who are saying that if M1 do take over from Telenor they will have to leave the country.”
Rights groups have criticised M1’s history for running mobile networks under authoritarian regimes including Syria and Sudan where state surveillance is routine.
European Parliament calls for more EU sanctions on Myanmar military revenue – Mizzima
The European Parliament passed a Resolution on 7 October calling for further action by the EU to target the Myanmar junta, reports Mizzima.
Under the previous military dictatorship sanctions were not applied strategically, but rather as a kind of slap on the wrist every few years in response to atrocities, according to Burma Campaign UK. It had appeared that the European Union and others were applying a more strategic approach this time, but it is now almost four months since the last round of EU sanctions targeting members of the military and revenue going to the military.
Lebanese business empire criticized over post-coup telecom dealings in Burma – L’Orient Today
The M1 Group, a holding company owned by Lebanon’s prime minister and his brother, has come under fire from human rights activists for buying the Norwegian telecom firm Telenor’s Myanmar operation.
The military regime had reportedly tried to force Telenor to provide user data including addresses and call history, and to implement intercept software that would allow authorities to monitor and spy on its users.
Burma Campaign UK Director Mark Farmaner warned that handing over user privacy could result in further crackdowns on dissidents and journalists struggling against the military coup.
“The military are trying to identify anybody who is resisting their rule, to find out who they are, who their contacts are. We’ve seen more than 7,000 arrests since the coup in February,” he told L’Orient Today. “If data is handed over, we’ll see more arrests and more killings.”
Myanmar shadow government forms COVID-19 task force – the Diplomat
Burma’s opposition National Unity Government (NUG) has announced the formation of a COVID-19 task force in order to help control the virus and bolster its bid for international recognition, reports the Diplomat.
The task force will work in collaboration with ethnic health organizations and help coordinate cooperation with international associations.
Given the military’s “incompetence, inaction, and inhuman conduct” in responding to the pandemic, as Zoya Phan of Burma Campaign UK put it today, the NUG, for all its limitations, stands a good chance at being able to prove itself more effective at delivering basic services, says the Diplomat.
Calls for UK to ignore demands by Burmese generals for new ambassador – the Express
The UK is facing calls to snub demands by Burmese generals for a new ambassador to the UK, in the wake of the country’s brutal military coup.
The Express reports that Burma’s previous UK Ambassador, Kyaw Zwar Minn, was ousted earlier this year after he spoke out against the junta.
Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK, said: “Dominic Raab seems to be breaking ranks with allies by accepting that the illegitimate military regime has the right to nominate ambassadors on behalf of Burma. Min Aung Hlaing craves legitimacy for his dictatorship and Raab should not be giving it to him.”
UK Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee recommends action against Myanmar – Radio Free Asia
Radio Free Asia reports on the Foreign Affairs Committee’s recommendations to the UK government and the debate in Parliament. The 5 minute video clip includes an interview with Mark Farmaner, Burma Campaign UK’s Director, critiquing the UK government’s response.
The UK government’s response to the Myanmar crisis: Foreign Affairs Committee recommendations
Burma Campaign UK gave evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British Parliament. The Committee’s report, published today, makes 30 recommendations covering diplomatic and multilateral action, sanctions, humanitarian support, accountability and transparency, and Myanmar nationals in the UK.
The Committee concludes: “The Government has made positive steps on Myanmar, but there is far more it can do, given its lead role at the UN and upcoming status as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner. Through delegitimising the authority of the junta, applying severe and widespread economic pressure, stemming the flow of arms, and building broad coalitions to condemn the violence and support humanitarian assistance, the UK can have a real impact on resolving the violence and preventing the deaths of more people.”
Never again: the UK’s responsibility to act on atrocities in Xinjiang and beyond – Foreign Affairs Committee
The UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has published its report on atrocities in Xinjiang and beyond. Burma Campaign UK submitted evidence to the Committee on the failure of UK policy regarding atrocities in Burma.
The recommendations include a call for a national, cross-departmental strategy for atrocity prevention, one of the recommendations made by Burma Campaign UK.
Norway’s Telenor sells its Myanmar telecoms operation to regime-linked partner – the Irrawaddy
Norwegian telecoms operator Telenor has sold its Myanmar operations to the Lebanese investment firm M1 Group, which was added to Burma Campaign UK’s Dirty List for doing business with the Myanmar military.
The M1 group has been on Burma Campaign UK’s Dirty List since August 2019 because it is a major shareholder in Irrawaddy Green Towers in Myanmar, which has almost 4,000 telecom towers across the country and is working for the military-owned Mytel telecom operator.