Burma Campaign UK
NLD FORCED TO BOYCOTT NATIONAL CONVENTION The Burma Campaign UK today called on the European Union and United Nations to end their dithering on Burma and impose targeted economic sanctions against the regime. “By refusing to allow the National League for Democracy (NLD) to participate fully in the National Convention the regime’s democracy road map …
The Burma Campaign UK today condemned travel firm Kuoni for planning to resume tours to Burma. The Burma Campaign UK has learnt Kuoni plans to resume tours in 2005. Kuoni received widespread praise when it withdrew from Burma last year. The company had stated it did not expect to return until democracy was restored. “We …
As European and Asian foreign ministers meet next week to discuss Burma’s entry into the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM), a new report exposes ongoing repression of Burma’s democrats. Click here to read the report Since its announcement of a ‘roadmap’ to democracy in August 2003, Burma’s ruling military has been engaged in a nationwide crackdown …
SUPPORT GROWS FOR BURMA INVESTMENT BAN The Burma Campaign UK is welcoming cross-party support for its campaign to persuade companies not to invest in Burma. Speaking in a debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday, shadow foreign minister Richard Spring MP stated: “We welcome BAT’s decision last year, and Premier Oil’s decision before that, …
The Burma Campaign UK student network is planning a nation-wide day of action against STA Travel on Monday 1st March. STA Travel is part of Diethelm Keller Travel, which organises tours to Burma. Hundreds of students in beachwear and Bermuda shorts will be protesting at STA Travel offices demanding Diethelm pull out of Burma. Students …
The UK and other European Union members are not fully implementing the EU asset freeze on the Burmese regime. As a result total frozen assets could be a meagre £57. EU members have a joint policy on Burma, known as a ‘common position’. In 2000 they agreed to freeze the assets of ‘undertakings or entities …
Orient Express challenge British government policy on Burma The Burma Campaign UK condemned today’s news that Orient Express has invested in Hosia Company of Hong Kong. Hosia owns the Pansea Hotel chain, which includes the Pansea Yangon Hotel, situated in Burma’s capital. Orient Express also has an option to purchase 100 percent of Hosia equity. …
Companies refusing to disclose if they source clothes from Burma are today named and shamed by the Burma Campaign UK. Click here to read the report 41 clothing retailers have ignored repeated requests to disclose whether they source clothes from Burma. They include Harrods, Benetton, Argos, Jeffrey Rogers, MK One, Paul Smith, and Calvin Klein. …
A new report by the Burma Campaign UK reveals most major high street retailers are now boycotting Burma. The report – Coming Clean, British Clothing Retailers and Burma – names ninety-nine major high street brands that refuse to source clothing from Burma because of human rights concerns. Not one of the top-ten British clothing retailers will now …
MTV Networks Europe is set to launch a powerful continuation of it’s on air campaign urging the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the Burmese Democratic Movement. Following on from Aung San Suu Kyi being announced winner of last month’s Free Your Mind Award at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2003, MTV Europe …
The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed news that the Railway Touring Company will no longer operate tours to Burma. The company had featured on a ‘Dirty List’ published by the Burma Campaign UK. The Railway Touring Company is the 7th travel company this year to pull out of Burma. So far this year Kuoni, Abercrombie …
The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed confirmation from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) that it has pulled out of Burma. PwC had featured on a ‘Dirty List’ of companies directly or indirectly funding the regime in Burma, which is published by the Burma Campaign UK. A member of the PwC network of firms had an ownership interest in …
CAMPAIGN SUCCESS IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR The Burma Campaign UK and Federation of Trade Unions (Burma) are celebrating today’s news that British American Tobacco (BAT) is to pull out of Burma. The two organisations launched a global campaign to get BAT out of Burma in November last year. BAT announced today that they have …
The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed news that Italian sportswear giant Kappa have stopped sourcing clothes from Burma. Kappa – makers of the Tottenham Hotspur and Welsh national football team kits – had been the target of a boycott campaign in the UK and Italy because of its links with Burma. Clothing exports are a …
Unions make formal complaint that BAT’s Burma factory breaches OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The International Union of Foodworkers (IUF), supported by Amicus MSF, which represents BAT’s workers in the UK, has made a complaint to the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) that British American Tobacco (BAT) is in breach of OECD Guidelines for …
JJB Sports Boycott Called Off The Burma Campaign UK welcomed news that JJB Sports – Britain’s largest sports retailer – is withdrawing stock manufactured in Burma and implementing a strict policy to ensure no new stock will be manufactured there. The Burma Campaign UK had found Kappa shirts and shorts made in Burma at JJB …
As Aung San Suu Kyi returns to house arrest for the third time, the Burma Campaign UK calls for increased pressure on the military dictatorship. “We are relieved that Aung San Suu Kyi is recovering well after surgery,” said Yvette Mahon, Director of Burma Campaign UK, but she warned now is not the time to …
JJB Sports Break Promise not to Source from Burma The Burma Campaign UK today condemned JJB Sports – Britain’s largest sports retailer – for breaking a promise not to source any stock from Burma. The Burma Campaign UK has found Kappa shirts and shorts made in Burma at JJB Sports flagship Oxford Street store. Clothing …
Broughton Misleads Shareholders over Burma Fish Exports. BAT’s Putrid Prawns Denied Entry to the USA. An investigation by the Burma Campaign UK and Federation of Trade Unions- Burma (FTUB) has exposed the bizarre story of BAT’s trade in fish and prawns. Early this year the FTUB received reports that BAT’s Burmese subsidiary – a joint …
The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed news that AIR MILES will no longer offer Orient Express’s Road to Mandalay tours in return for AIR MILES points. The Burma Campaign UK had contacted AIR MILES asking them to withdraw the promotion – which had featured on their website. “This puts even more pressure on Orient Express,” …
As concerns grow for the health of Aung San Suu Kyi following reports she is on hunger strike, the Burma Campaign UK today called for the UN Security Council to take action. “Britain has just taken over as chair of the Security Council,” said John Jackson, Director of the Burma Campaign UK. “They must use …
The Burma Campaign UK today dismissed an announcement by Burma’s new Prime Minister Khin Nyunt that the regime would restart a national convention that would lead to free and fair elections. “We have been here before,” said John Jackson, Director of the Burma Campaign UK. “There have already been elections and the generals lost. The …
MTV Network Europe announced today the launch of a Europe wide on-air campaign supported by Coldplay lead singer, Chris Martin, Bono, Bob Geldof, Macy Gray and Lenny Kravitz urging the release of Burmese pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, who was arrested by Burmese authorities on 30 May, 2003. The promo …
The Burma Campaign UK is celebrating today after WPP confirmed it is to close its office in Burma. WPP acquired a subsidiary in Burma – Bates Myanmar – when it won its takeover battle for Cordiant Communications. As a result WPP had been added to a ‘Dirty List’ of companies supporting the regime in Burma …