You may have heard of #BloodDiamonds, but how much do you know about #GenocideGems? Myanmar produces more than 90% of the world’s rubies and jade, and these stones command the highest prices on the international market. Because it dominates Burma’s gemstone industry, the Myanmar military profits when high-end jewelry retailers – like Harry Winston (owned by Swatch) – buy Burmese gems for their collections.
Today, let’s take four actions to hold Harry Winston – and its owner Swatch – to account. They need to stop profiting from the sale of #GenocideGems.
Action #1: Share our petition to Harry Winston
Since you’ve already signed our petition to Harry Winston, please share the petition with your friends and family. Use this link.
Action #2: Post on the social media of Harry Winston and Swatch
In addition to signing the petition, follow up by posting messages on the companies’ social media accounts.
Copy the message below and adapt it as you wish. Add it as a comment on posts showcasing jewelry or watches on the Facebook and Instagram pages of Harry Winston and Swatch.
I refuse to buy your brands while Harry Winston (owned by Swatch) buys #GenocideGems from Myanmar that profit the Burmese military and its atrocities against the peoples of Myanmar.
Read the truth about Harry Winston here. https://bit.ly/HarryWinston_NoGenocideGems
Use the links below to the jeweler’s social media.
Don’t neglect to post similar comments on the companies’ LinkedIn page. Join us in telling the companies on their job postings why you would never work for a company that supports the Myanmar military.
Action #3: Make an appointment to protest at your local Harry Winston store
In addition to signing the petition, would you follow up by visiting one of Harry Winston’s stores?
Click on this link to make an appointment at one of Harry Winston’s swanky stores. If you can turn up for the appointment, ask to see the jewelry with rubies. Then explain to the store manager why you would never buy from Harry Winston as long as it buys gems that profit the Myanmar military.
Breaking! One of our awesome activists in the UK just visited Harry Winston’s London store. Let’s make sure Harry Winston hears from us at every store worldwide!
Action #4: Attend our virtual comedy night.
On September 16 at 8:00 pm, some of the funniest people on the planet will come together to support our work on behalf of the Burmese people. You can learn more about the event here and you can buy your tickets here. This is a virtual event.
We can and must build our pressure on Myanmar’s military. Your actions have moved your governments to pass tough sanctions and successfully pressed companies, such as Western Union, online jeweler Angara, and Kirin brewery, to end their business partnerships with the Burmese military. We can stop the sale of #GenocideGems.
Your gifts will help us keep building the campaigns and tools that we need to take effective action together. Please click here to make a gift of $30, $60, $120, $250, or more. Learn more about our other actions for the Rohingya here.
Harry Winston item featuring Burmese gems
For Further Reading:
- “Jade and Conflict: Myanmar’s Vicious Cycle,” Global Witness, June 2021
- “Rare Jewels From Bulgari, Cartier and Harry Winston Take Center Stage at Phillips’ Next Auction,” Robb Report, 21 June 2021
- “Will Myanmar’s ‘Genocide Gems’ Become the New Blood Diamonds?,” BusinessWeek, October 17, 2018
- “No Genocide Gems! Burmese Military Takes a Hit From Citizens Sanctions,” International Campaign for the Rohingya blog
- “Sanction Myanmar Military, Not Myanmar People,” Justice For Myanmar and Burma Campaign UK, 5 February 2021
- Jade and the Generals, Global Witness, May 17, 2017
- “Dirty List” of companies doing business with the Myanmar military, Burma Campaign UK
- Subscribe to Frontier Myanmar’s excellent daily coverage from inside the country.