Western Union
Removed from the Dirty List 7 January 2020
Western Union was removed from the Dirty List on 7 January 2020 following confirmation that they had stopped using Myawaddy Bank as an agent.
Statement from Western Union to Burma Campaign UK:
“In Myanmar and other countries in conflict, Western Union plays a critical role in connecting people – whether families sending money to loved ones to meet basic needs like healthcare and food, or humanitarian aid organizations in need of funds for the work on the ground.
Providing these services requires the use of local agents remunerated by a commission payment. Western Union conducts agent due diligence and oversight through periodic reviews to determine whether these agents satisfy relevant regulatory requirements and Western Union policies. As a result of such a review, Western Union has ended its contract with Myawaddy Bank, effective immediately.”
7 January 2020
Background
Western Union
Western Union has contracted Myawaddy Bank as an agent for money transfers. Myawaddy Bank is owned by Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, which is for the benefit of and controlled by the military.
Contact:
Hikmet Ersek
President
Western Union Financial Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 6036
Englewood, CO 80155
USA
Email: executiveresolutionsdept@westernunion.com
(Notified 5th November 2018)
Sources:
Western Union website October 2018. (Although here they call a Myawaddy Bank Branch MWD Mandalay, the address is that of a Myawaddy Bank Branch
Myawaddy Bank website October 2018
https://www.mwdbank.com/e-banking-service-2/international-money-transfer-service.html
Added to the Dirty List 11 December 2018
Removed from the Dirty List 7 January 2020
The Dirty List
The Dirty List names international companies doing business with the military in Burma. The list also includes international companies involved in projects where there are human rights violations or environmental destruction.
In September 2018, the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on Myanmar, which has been investigating human rights violations in the country, stated:
“The actions of the Tatmadaw (Burmese military) in Kachin, Rakhine and Shan States, in particular in the context of the ‘clearance operations’ in northern Rakhine State in 2016 and 2017, have so seriously violated international law that any engagement in any form with the Tatmadaw, its current leadership, and its businesses, is indefensible.”
A PDF of the full Dirty List is available here.