Media Advisory
For Immediate Release: February 5th, 2021
In the wake of past genocide against the Rohingya, ongoing mass atrocities against other ethnic minorities, and recent army coup d’etat, the Myanmar military finally stepped too far for its business partner, Kirin Holdings of Japan.
Kirin announced today that it would end its business partnerships with Myanma Economic Holdings Public Company Limited, a Myanmar military-owned conglomerate.
The following quote can be attributed to Simon Billenness, Executive Director of the International Campaign for the Rohingya.
“Kirin has finally acknowledged its grievious mistake in choosing to do business with a wholly-owned subsidiary of a brutal military with over a half a century of dictatorial rule, brutal civil war, venal corruption, and mass atrocities, including genocide.”
“We call on corporations worldwide to cut all business ties with Myanmar military-owned and controlled companies. Facebook must suspend the accounts of the Myanmar military as the army recruits its soldiers and conducts its business through the social platform. Jewelers such as Harry Winston, owned by Swatch of Switzerland, must stop buying Burmese “genocide gems,” whose trade is dominated by the Myanmar military and a huge source of the army’s revenues.”
“We call on all governments to hold the Myanmar military accountable for its actions through sanctions against Myanmar military leaders, the army’s extensive business empire, and the military’s business cronies. We specifically call on U.S. President to issue an executive order restoring U.S. sanctions under the JADE Act.”
For a full details of the economic interests of the Myanmar military and army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, read Justice For Myanmar’s recent report “Who Profits From a Coup? The Power and Greed of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.”
Kirin’s statement of February 5th, 2021
Contact:
Simon Billenness
Executive Director
International Campaign for the Rohingya
M: (617) 596-6158
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