Karen Rivers Watch quotes Zoya Phan
“Climate change has the potential to cause as much damage to Kawthoolei and Burma as the Burmese military have”, says Zoya Phan, Burma Campaign UK’s Programme Director, on a campaign poster by Karen Rivers Watch. “Authoritarian rule in Burma means we ae decades behind in preparing for the impacts of climate change in our country.”
The horrors of a war far from Gaza and Ukraine – iNews
Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, many more jailed and tortured, 2.6 million displaced from their homes, and more than 18 million live in need, reports iNews.
A series of recent victories mean opposition forces now control more than half the country. Many say it’s only a matter of time before the regime falls.
Neighbouring China, traditionally the Myanmar military’s most powerful backer, can detect which way the wind is blowing.
“The Chinese have been reaching out to all the different ethnic groups in the country, not just the ones on their border any more,” says Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK. “They’re offering them scholarships, they’re talking about humanitarian assistance, they’re inviting them to so-called conferences and nice hotels to building relationships and getting to know the players.”
The UK has cut aid by 70 per cent since the coup, in a bid to undermine the regime. “The British Government’s decision is ridiculous. There’s a huge civil society network ready to deliver aid to those who need it,” says Farmaner.
“There is a lot more that the West could do,” he says. “Most importantly, tougher sanctions on jet fuel because the military can’t make their own. A million people at least have been displaced by airstrikes, who now can’t work, can’t farm. It’s an economic crisis, as well as a humanitarian crisis.”
Zoya Phan interviewed by Radio Karen
Zoya Phan, Burma Campaign UK’s Programme Director, was interviewed by Radio Karen about the UN Human Rights Council’s resolution calling on member states not to export, sell or transfer jet fuel to the Burmese military.
The resolution is another significant milestone in getting the issue up the international agenda and applying more pressure on countries still involved in the supply of jet fuel to Burma.
Watch interview with Zoya Phan (in Karen)
David Cameron- Sanction Jet Fuel Now!
Without aviation fuel the jets can’t fly. If they can’t fly, they can’t bomb.
UN debate and resolution on Myanmar
The UK has finally convened the discussion on Myanmar at the UN Security Council that Burma Campaign UK has been calling for. Speakers urged the Security Council to take decisive measures to end violence by the military and address the deteriorating humanitarian situation, also calling for the swift appointment of a UN Special Envoy.
At the meeting the USA and Malta called on the Council to take action to stop the supply of jet fuel to the Burmese military, but the UK failed to call for the Burmese military to abide by the measures ordered by the International Court of Justice to prevent the ongoing genocide of the Rohingya.
On the same day the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution including calls for action on the humanitarian crisis, establishing the conditions for the safe return of the Rohingya, and ensuring accountability for those responsible for mass atrocities and human rights violations and abuses.
UN Human Rights Council resolution takes crucial stand against deadly jet fuel supply chain – Amnesty International
Responding to a decision by the UN Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution on Myanmar that for the first time calls on UN member states to refrain from the export, sale or transfer of jet fuel to the Myanmar military, the author of Amnesty International’s 2022 report “Deadly Cargo” said:
“This resolution is a step in the right direction to combat the deadly supply chain that enables the Myanmar military to continue its barrage of air strikes in which schools, clinics, religious buildings and other civilian infrastructure have all been targeted. It highlights the urgent need to suspend shipments of aviation fuel to Myanmar, where it is used by the military to carry out war crimes.”
David Cameron snail protest: speed up Myanmar sanctions
Stars of Myanmar Friendship, supported by Burma Campaign UK, held a protest today outside the British Foreign Office, calling for faster implementation of targeted sanctions against the Myanmar military.
The British government has still not sanctioned key sectors of support to the Myanmar military, including jet fuel, the gas industry and state banks. Members of the Myanmar community called on Foreign Secretary David Cameron to speed up the pace of new sanctions.
Zoya Phan interviewed by Burma News Network
Nant Zoya Phan, Burma Campaign UK’s Programme Director, talked to Burma News Network about the seminar “Towards a democratic Myanmar and its impact on security along the Thai border”, held on March 2-3 in the Thai Parliament, Bangkok, over the Burmese junta’s objection.
“It was emphasized that cross-border assistance is needed for war refugees” said Zoya Phan. “Humanitarian aid cannot be provided through the military council for the war refugees who are in the Myanmar border where there are millions. It was reported that it would work only if you pay directly through the Thai border. Thai parliamentarians accept and trust this presentation.”
House of Lords debates health care in Myanmar – Parliament Live TV
The House of Lords in the UK Parliament today held a short debate on Myanmar, secured by Lord Nigel Crisp. The Lords assessed the role the UK could play in supporting health care workers and the reconstruction of the health system in Myanmar.
462 CSOs urgently call on UN Security Council to protect civilians in Myanmar – Progressive Voice
Marking three years of the military junta’s failed coup, Burma Campaign UK has joined 461 organisations calling urgently for swift UN Security Council action against the military junta to end its war of terror and protect civilians in Myanmar.