“Outside investment in Burma’s oil and gas industry has thrown a lifeline to the country’s brutal rulers,” added Ganesan. “The businesses that help finance the military shouldn’t argue that the government’s crackdown is not their problem.” Human Rights Watch, 10-2-07.
Human Rights Watch to Business: "Keeping quiet while monks & other peaceful protesters are murdered & jailed is not ... constructive engagement."
That Human Rights Watch should even have to issue such this statement is damning testament, and so very illustrative of what is wrong with too many of the world's business leaders (and the governments that service them) -- Richard Power
Chinese, Indian, Thai, and other companies doing business in Burma should ensure their operations do not contribute to or benefit from human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said ...
“Companies doing business in Burma argue their presence is constructive and will benefit the Burmese people, but they have yet to condemn the government’s abuses against its own citizens,” said Arvind Ganesan, director of the Business and Human Rights Program at Human Rights Watch.
“Keeping quiet while monks and other peaceful protesters are murdered and jailed is not evidence of constructive engagement.”
Image: Last moments of Nagai Kenji, Japanese journalist shot while covering protest, Agence France Press
Human Rights Watch said that companies operating in Burma should use their influence with the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to put an end to ongoing human rights abuses. In the current environment, companies should urge the SPDC to halt the crackdown, release all political prisoners, and open a real dialogue with opposition and ethnic groups. If the situation does not improve, companies should be prepared to reconsider their operations in the country. ...
“Outside investment in Burma’s oil and gas industry has thrown a lifeline to the country’s brutal rulers,” added Ganesan. “The businesses that help finance the military shouldn’t argue that the government’s crackdown is not their problem.”
Image: 200 Monks Lined Up and Killed, First Post
India, like China and Russia – which are also major investors in Burma’s natural gas sector – has provided political and military support to the SPDC. ...
Chinese firms are also actively seeking to build oil and gas pipelines in Burma. ...
India and China have been reluctant to criticize the recent crackdown. Russia joined China in blocking UN Security Council action on Burma.
For the full text of Human Rights Watch's statement, click here.
For a directory of Words of Power Human Rights Updates, click here.
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Human Rights Update 6-12-07: Remember Aung San Suu Kyi, Honor Her Sacrifice, Reflect on Your Own Freedom & What You Choose to Do With It
Hard Rain Journal 1-8-07: Human Rights and Environmental Security Update from Burma, Cambodia and Mekong River
Words of Power #24: Lost Symbols, Part One – Aung San Suu Kyi, AQ Khan, & The World Tree
Aung San Suu Kyi,Burma, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights, Richard Power, Words of Power
