Burma Campaign UK
The British government faced growing criticism from non-governmental organisations after detailing severe cuts to overseas aid budgets, in some cases up to 90 per cent, for countries in Africa and Asia, reports Singapore-based Straits Times. Myanmar will see aid slashed by nearly 30 per cent in the financial year to 2026-2027. “British aid to Burma …
There is increasing evidence of terrible gender-based violence and abuse in Myanmar’s prisons against female political prisoners since the coup of 2021, reports Northeast Bylines, citing the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners’ recent report. Zoya Phan, Burma Campaign UK’s Programme Director, commented: “The Burmese military has used rape as a weapon of war for decades, …
Human rights groups are demanding that FIFA immediately evoke the exclusive 2026 World Cup broadcasting rights granted to Mytel, a telecom firm linked to the military regime, reports Streamline, a Kenyan community-owned platform. Justice For Myanmar and Burma Campaign UK quickly condemned the arrangement, highlighting the glaring ethical failures in FIFA’s due diligence protocols. Mark …
Mizzima reports on the debate held in the UK Parliament on British government support for human rights in Myanmar. MPs from across political parties united in calling for stronger action by the government, including new sanctions against the Burmese military, action on justice and accountability, and ensuring aid is not cut. Rushanara Ali MP, co-chair of the …
MPs from across the political spectrum staged a rare display of total partisan unity, collectively demanding that the British government escalate sanctions, pursue international justice, and protect humanitarian aid sent into Myanmar, says DVB in its report of the Westminster Hall debate. The government’s defensive response drew swift, scathing condemnation from civil society leaders observing …
Burma Campaign UK has released an updated list of products, brands, and services owned or controlled by the Myanmar junta’s military or its business conglomerates, reports Mizzima. An additional 16 new products and businesses have been added to the updated Boycott List. Minn Tent Bo, Advocacy Officer at Burma Campaign UK, said: “Every time a …
At a Westminster Hall debate today, MPs from across political parties united in calling for stronger action by the British government. Speakers included Rushanara Ali MP and Sir Jeremy Hunt MP, Co-Chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Burma, for which Burma Campaign UK acts as secretariat. Anna Roberts, Executive Director of BCUK, commented: “There …
India faces growing criticism over its decision to roll out the red carpet for Min Aung Hlaing, reports the Independent. Rights groups say it risks legitimising a former general allegedly responsible for genocide. Mark Farmaner, the director of Burma Campaign UK, told the Independent that Mr Modi’s current policy is driven by a desire to counter China’s …
Burma Campaign UK told the Democratic Voice of Burma that the British government hasn’t revealed any sanctions against the Arakan Army (AA) over its alleged mass killings and human rights violations against the Rohingya, as well as other ethnic minorities, in its territory. The rumours about possible sanctions against the AA emerged three months after …
Burma Campaign UK is calling on the Chief Executive of SED Energy Holdings to terminate his company’s involvement in gas extraction projects within Myanmar, reports Mizzima. “Companies operating in Burma’s gas and energy sectors are contributing to the funding of the military, as gas represents a key source of revenue for the regime,” said Minn …
Burma Campaign UK is calling on Kurt Waldeland, Chief Executive of SED Energy Holdings, to end his company’s role in gas extraction in Burma/Myanmar. Since the latest military coup in 2021, gas revenue is controlled by the Burmese military, helping to fund their weapons and equipment purchases. SED Energy Holdings decided to go ahead with …
The question for Europe today is not whether Min Aung Hlaing and his lieutenants have changed their ways, argues an opinion piece in the Asia Times. The question is whether Europe has changed its habits. The EU still has sanctions in place. But sanctions will be ineffectual and meaningless if Europe shifts its diplomacy to acknowledge …
Burma Campaign UK welcomed news that an ‘open dialogue’ event planned by the Burmese Embassy in London has been cancelled, reports Mizzima. The Embassy is currently under the control of the Burmese military. The so-called open dialogue event is part of a new public relations offensive by the Burmese military as they desperately seek international …
Burma Campaign UK welcomed news that a planned “open dialogue” event for diplomats hosted by the Burma Embassy in London had been cancelled, reports the Democratic Voice of Burma. “This is a humiliation for the military-controlled embassy in London,” Minn Tent Bo, advocacy officer at Burma Campaign UK, said. “It was ridiculous that they ever …
The planned ‘open dialogue’ propaganda event organised by the Burmese (Myanmar) Embassy in London was cancelled after Burma Campaign UK and Stars of Myanmar Friendship called for the event to be boycotted, organised a protest during the event, and urged Ambassadors likely to be invited not to attend. A small celebratory protest went ahead outside …
Mizzima reports on Burma Campaign UK’s new briefing on the UK decision to welcome the Myanmar junta’s move to transfer Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest in Naypyidaw. BCUK says this represents a further softening in the British government’s approach to the Burmese military. It comes on top of a general lack …
The British government has welcomed Aung San Suu Kyi being placed under house arrest. The statement stood in stark contrast to western allies, who carefully avoided welcoming Aung San Suu Kyi being placed under house arrest. It is also notable for avoiding using the language political prisoners to describe political prisoners. This is not accidental. …
A new report released by Burma Campaign UK says Myanmar’s new civilian government remains dominated by military figures, says Mizzima in a short video on its You Tube TV channel, and in an article on its website. The report, Burma’s Rebranded Military Regime, describes the administration as a rebranded continuation of military rule, not a …
Myanmar’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to house arrest in the capital, more than five years after her government was ousted in a coup, reports the Guardian. Campaigners accused Myanmar’s military leaders of a cynical PR campaign designed to gain international legitimacy, and of continuing its oppressive rule. “They use political …
Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest after more than five years behind bars. The decision to transfer Myanmar’s deposed former leader is viewed as an attempt to end the junta’s international isolation, reports the Telegraph. Mark Farmaner, the director of Burma Campaign UK, said: “Moving Aung San Suu Kyi …
After five years of war, armed resistance groups still challenge Myanmar’s military across much of the country. But the generals are now stemming losses and reclaiming some territory, reports Germany’s Deutsche Welle. Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to house arrest. Burma Campaign UK’s director Mark Farmaner said Aung San Suu Kyi’s transfer “isn’t about change …
The US offensive against scam operations in Myanmar and Cambodia may not be extensive enough to stem the growth of the scam centers, reports Asia Sentinel. “The US is using standard law enforcement procedures for criminal activities that require a much more creative approach. Taking out top leaders won’t solve this problem, more junior members …
The Burmese military want to give the impression that there is a new civilian government ruling Burma (Myanmar). There isn’t. Burma Campaign UK’s new briefing explains why. The President and two Vice Presidents are from the Burmese military or Burmese military proxy political party. 86% of ministers running ministries are from the Burmese military or …
Blue Shirt Day is an annual occasion that takes place on 21 April, writes Minn Tent Bo, Advocacy and Communications Officer at Burma Campaign UK. It is not simply about people wearing a blue shirt; it is about standing against the ongoing practice of imprisoning, torturing, and disappearing political prisoners and the systematic effort to …