Western Union cuts ties to military-owned bank – the Irrawaddy
The Irrawaddy reports that Western Union, a US-based global financial transfer service, has cut ties with the military-owned Myawaddy Bank after human rights organizations called on the company to sever its links in light of accusations that the military is responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“Western Union deserve credit for doing the right thing. They are the biggest company so far to cut their business ties to the military,” said Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK. BCUK has taken Western Union off its Dirty List of companies that do business with the military.
Campaign Success!
Western Union Drops Military Myawaddy Bank As Its Agent
Western Union is the latest company to be removed from our ‘Dirty List’ following confirmation that they have stopped using the military-owned Myawaddy Bank as one of their agents in Burma.
They are the biggest company so far to cut their business ties to the military. This is a significant step forward in our campaign to stop international companies funding genocide and crimes against humanity in Burma.
We will be stepping up pressure on other companies on our ‘Dirty List’
Thank you to everyone who took part in the campaign.
Kirin reviews Burma operations because of military ties – Financial Times
The Financial Times reports that Kirin is to review its operations in Burma after the Japanese brewer’s partnership with a military-linked business drew fierce criticism from human rights groups, highlighting the growing reputational risks faced by multinationals doing business in Burma.
Kirin is on Burma Campaign UK’s “Dirty List” of companies with alleged links to the military.
Aung San Suu Kyi defends her country’s military at the UN’s top court – the National
Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, accused Aung San Suu Kyi of “barefaced lying” during her testimony and said her civilian government was guilty of genocide.
“Although she might be taking comfort that the country’s Buddhist majority is standing behind her on this case, she is actually polarising the country by letting other ethnic minority groups see her defend the crimes of the military that have persecuted them too,” said Mark Farmaner. He said Aung San Suu Kyi was leading the country “down a dangerous and tragic path”.
Aung San Suu Kyi denies genocide allegations – Time
As Aung San Suu Kyi personally appeared at the International Court of Justice, the United Nations’ highest court, to defend her country from charges of genocide, Time calls it a powerful reminder of how far the former human rights icon has fallen from grace in the eyes of the West.
“There was a time when Aung San Suu Kyi spoke with moral authority and the world would listen, but that time has long gone,” says Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK.
Kirin’s US beer deal threatened by Burma links – Nikkei Asian Review
The employee-shareholders of New Belgium Brewing, one of the largest independent craft beer breweries in the US, are being urged to vote against a proposed takeover by Japanese beverage giant Kirin.
Activists are hoping the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi’s government for genocide at the International Court of Justice will increase the pressure on international businesses like Kirin to sever ties with the Burmese military.
“The profits are being pumped back into the military, helping to fund their operations,” said Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, which has published a Dirty List of about 80 companies linked to the military, including Kirin. “Kirin are literally helping to fund genocide.”
Aung San Suu Kyi appears in The Hague – VOA News
VOA News reports on Aung San Suu Kyi’s appearance at the International Court of Justice to defend her government against accusations of genocide.
Though Aung San Suu Kyi is not directly responsible for the military, Mark Farmaner of Burma Campaign UK argues the civilian government is also guilty of genocide.
“Aung San Suu Kyi is pursuing policies in the country which are killing Rohingya people every day. She’s denying them humanitarian aid from the international community. She’s restricting their access to health care. Rohingya children are not allowed access to higher education,” he said.
Burma Campaign UK at the International Court of Justice
Anna Roberts, Burma Campaign UK’s Executive Director, is at The Hague for the start of the genocide case against Burma at the International Court of Justice. She joins Karen and Kachin community activists in support of the Rohingya and Burma’s ethnic groups in their struggle for justice.
Aung San Suu Kyi at the ICJ: national honour or international disgrace? – Frontier Myanmar
Frontier Myanmar reports on national and international reaction to Aung San Suu Kyi’s appearance at the International Court of Justice.
Although the ICJ has no punitive power, if Burma is found to have committed genocide, activists may renew calls for sanctions, including targeted measures against business connected to the military.
“If your business partner is on trial for genocide at one of the highest courts in the world, you might want to reconsider whether it’s a business relationship you should be in,” Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, said in a press statement today.
Why did Aung San Suu Kyi go to The Hague? – Dhaka Tribune
Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, is among the experts asked by Dhaka Tribune what they think about Aung San Suu Kyi’s decision to lead the Burmese government’s delegation to the International Court of Justice to answer the charge of genocide.
Mark Farmaner said: “The real problem with Aung San Suu Kyi is not just that she defends the actions of the military. As leader of the civilian government she is also pursuing racist genocidal policies against the Rohingya denying them rights, access to education, food, and healthcare. Her policies are killing people on a weekly basis.”