Trade and Investment Reports

A briefing from Chin Rivers Watch. In 2007, the Burmese military government reached an agreement to provide electricity to Bangladesh through construction of a hydropower project comprising two large dams on the Lemro river in western Burma. Since the beginning, the…

‘The Boycott List’, lists products and brands produced by Burmese military-owned companies. The products and brands are listed cover a wide range of sectors from construction, media, entertainment, agricultural products and trade. The purpose of the briefing paper is to…

This report by Candle Light, Southern Youth and Tarkapaw Youth group highlights the risks and threats posed by proposed dams on the Tanintharyi [Tenasserim] River, and calls on the government, the Karen National Union and dam developers to listen to the…

A report by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar. Its recommendations include: The United Nations Security Council, Member States, relevant regional and international inter-governmental organizations should impose targeted financial sanctions against all Tatmadaw-owned companies, especially MEHL, MEC and their…

This report of a two-year undercover investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency reveals a secret off-the-books system of fraudulent trade in Burmese teak logs run in parallel to, and within, the official legal trade. EIA’s findings, subtitled “The top-level conspiracy…

This is the report of the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar (IIFFM Myanmar) to the Human Rights Council, released on 27 August 2018. The Human Rights Council established the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar in March…

Burma Briefing No. 43 In 2002, Burma Campaign UK published the first ‘Dirty List’ of companies directly or indirectly helping the military dictatorship in Burma, or which were linked to human rights violations. The ‘Dirty List’ was a tactic to…

A report by KHRG, KESAN and THWEE Community Development Network The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Thailand’s Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) have been fi nancing highway construction in southeast Burma/Myanmar in Karen State, which has been the…

Impacts of the Upper Yeywa and other planned dams on the Namtu in Shan State A report by the Shan Human Rights Foundation, Shan State Farmers’ Network and Shan Sapawa Environmental Organization Four new hydropower dams are planned on the…

A report from Physicians for Human Rights assessing the human rights, livelihood, and health impacts on communities displaced by the reservoir created by Paunglaung dam in southern Shan state. The purpose of this research was to determine if human rights…

Report by the International Trade Union Confederation The report finds that Burma continues to be a “high-risk” country for foreign investors, with persistent human rights abuses and an economy still largely controlled by the Burmese army and their cronies. The…

A report by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland – Burma (HURFOM) Land conflict is one of the most pressing issues facing Burma today. In this report, HURFOM has documented evidence regarding abuses perpetrated against Mon landowners’ rights and their…

A report by Amnesty International This report describes how Canadian and Chinese mining interests have profited from, and in some cases colluded with the Myanmar authorities in serious human rights abuses and illegal activity around the Monywa copper mine complex,…

This report by Karen Rivers Watch (KRW) reveals that the recent outbreak of fighting – after two years of ceasefire negotiations and relative calm – appears to be part of a calculated military strategy by Burmese forces to control territory…

A report by the Dawei Development Association documenting the concerns of the communities affected by the Dawei Special Economic Zone (DSEZ). The Dawei Special Economic Zone has been associated with many social and environmental impacts and human rights violations. If…

A report by The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) Critique of Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Blueprint for Development in South-Eastern Burma/Myanmar This report highlights how Japan’s new development plans for Southeast Burma could fuel conflict rather than promote peace. KPSN,…

Burma Briefing No. 33 ‘Trade, development, and the smokescreen of CSR’ is a commentary by David Baulk. As states across the world have embraced the idea that markets can work for the poor, CSR has become a crucial part of…

Report by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) New analysis of the the government’s forestry and trade data points to a multi-billion dollar illegal logging and exports black hole – indicating widespread criminality and official corruption. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)…

A report by the Shan Human Rights Foundation  Communities in over 60 villages have lost lands and houses due to construction of access roads and other infrastructure for the first dam on the Salween River in Burma, at Kunlong in…

A report by Construction-based Labor Union, Cooperation Program of Independent Laborers, Labour Rights Clinic, Workers Support Group and other labour rights groups highlighting how violations of workers’ rights, including long work hours and low wages, oppression of labour unions, unsafe…

Drawing The Line: The Case Against China’s Shwe Gas Project, For Better Extractive Industries in Burma This report by the Shwe Gas Movement calls for suspension of the Shwe Gas Project on the grounds that it sets a dangerous precedent…

This report by the Shwe Gas Movement reveals glaring weaknesses in Burma’s legal framework regarding the extractive industries, resulting in human rights abuses, environmental damage and poor revenue distribution. Good Governance and the Extractive Industry in Burma examines the current…

Burma Briefing No. 22 The European Union is currently reviewing its policy on Burma, including whether to continue with the suspension of EU sanctions, or to lift them altogether. A final decision will be made by the Foreign Affairs Council…

A report by Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) Reports of business and development projects in eastern Burma have increased substantially in the wake of government reforms and the ceasefire signed with the Karen National Union (KNU) in January 2012. While…

This report by Arakan Oil Watch exposes how a planned Chinese industrial zone is threatening the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people in Arakan State as well as Burma’s second largest mangrove forest. The 120 sq km Kyauk Phyu…

Women urge halt to expansion of damaging Karenni tin mines A report by the Molo Women Mining Watch Network The Mawchi tin mines have inflicted decades of environmental and social damage in southern Karenni State and new expansion plans should…

A report by The Ta’ang Students and Youth Organization (TSYO) Shwe Pipeline Brings Land Confiscation, Militarization and Human Rights Violations to the Ta’ang People. “Pipeline Nightmare” illustrates how the Shwe Gas and Oil Pipeline project, which will transport oil and…

ND-Burma Periodic Report underlines human rights abuses in Burma, with focus on land confiscation This report from The Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) documents the human rights situation in Burma during the period of April 2012– September…

The elections on April 1 2012 have been heralded as a great success. However, Not Open for Business highlights the fact that high levels of risk for investors – and the people of Burma – remain. Not Open for Business…

This report from Arakan Oil Watch reveals how billions of dollars in revenues from the sale of natural gas have gone unrecorded in Burma’s public accounts and been siphoned off by corrupt military rulers, leaving Burma with some of the…

Burma Briefing No. 17 EU Foreign Ministers met on 23rd January to discuss Burma policy. This Briefing analyses the Council conclusions issued by EU Foreign Ministers. While the decision to suspend the application of the visa ban against senior government…

A new report released by Ta’ang Students and Youth Organization (TSYO) estimates that 63% of farming families have lost their land to confiscation by the Burmese military and their cronies. Despite much-publicized political “reforms” in the country, the authorities have…

Burma Briefing No. 13 Commentary on an article published on 20th June 2011 in the Financial Times by Markus Loening, Germany’s federal commissioner for human rights policy. It is rare for a German government official to make a detailed statement…

A report from the Kayan New Generation Youth reveals how military authorities in Burma have ordered 8,000 people to move from their homes in preparation for a hydroelectric dam being constructed by European and Chinese companies that will power Naypyitaw,…

Lessons from Burma’s largest coal project at Tigyit This report by local Pa-Oh researchers, exposes how up to two thousand tons of lignite, the most polluting type of coal, are being extracted per day from a massive open cast mine…

Report by The Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG). A bitter land struggle is unfolding in northern Burma’s remote Hugawng Valley. Farmers that have been living for generations in the valley are defying one of the country’s most powerful tycoons as…

Report by Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma The system of taxation and extortion impacts on the people of Burma’s basic human rights by violating their right to an adequate standard of living, right to development, property rights, right…

Poisoned Hills, a report released by the Palaung Women’s Organization reveals that opium cultivation in Burma’s northern Shan State has been increasing rapidly over the past three years in areas under the control of the ruling military government. This report…

This preliminary report from the Arakan Rivers Network (ARN) highlights the human rights and environmental concerns over the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project agreed between the Indian government and the Burmese military junta. The report highlights concerns of local people;…

The Tasang dam, the largest planned for the trans-national Salween River, will submerge 870 kilometers in the heartland of Shan State, Burma. The dam is located in the midst of a conflict area where Shan resistance forces have been fighting…

A report on Land Confiscation in Arakan & Mon States, and Pa-O Area of Southern Shan State

Exposing how the insurance industry supports Burma’s dictators  

A report by Kayan Women’s Union reveals how the Upper Paunglaung Dam, being built with Chinese investment, has increased forced labour and other abuses for local villagers.

Report by the Ethnic Community Development Forum (ECDF) documenting the Burmese regime’s disastrous policy of forcing Burmese communities to grow biofuel crops.

Earthrights international documents the continuing human rights abuses occurring on the Yadana project, a joint project between TOTAL, Chevron and the Burmese regime.

A briefing paper the EU’s position on Burma with recommendations on the next steps the EU should take.

Amnesty International report calling for the United Nations Security Council to immediately impose a mandatory arms embargo on Burma.

Report by Amnesty International, Saferworld and other NGOs

Report by The Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG). This report examines the impact of a project to dam the Irrawaddy, one of Asia’s great river systems which flows through Burma’s heartlands.

A report by the Mon Youth Progressive Organization reveals how Burma’s Salween dams threaten over half a million lives.

A briefing paper on India’s increasingly close relationship with the regime in Burma, supplying arms, loans and making significant investments in the country.

This report exposes how Burma’s military junta is promoting extensive gold-mining in the Hugawng Valley Tiger Reserve in northern Kachin State.

Position paper by pro-democracy organisations detailing policy on humanitarian assistance to Burma.

A report by the Shwe Gas Movement on how Burma’s military dictatorship could earn over US$12 billion in profits from western Burma gas fields

A report by the Karenni Development Research Group revealing how thousands of villagers will be made homeless and towns and villages flooded in a huge new dam project that will enrich Burma’s generals.

This report investigates the role of French oil giant TOTAL Oil in fuelling the oppressive dictatorship in Burma. Key findings of the report include: TOTAL as the largest European corporate funder of the regime. The Yadana gas project, in which…

This report examines high street retailers’ and manufacturers’ response to the campaign to boycott clothing from Burma. Foreign investment and trade has played a vital role in funding Burma’s dictatorship, enabling it to double the size of the military while…

BAT is one of the most important UK investors in Burma. Its Burmese subsidiary – Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar – is a joint venture with Burma’s military regime; a regime described by the US State Department as brutal, repressive,…

Triumph International is a Swiss-based German multinational company owned by the Spiesshofer and Braun families. The company is one of Europe’s main retailers of lingerie. The company has an annual turnover of US$ 1.6 billion and employs more than 30,000…