Dear Alyson:Sanctions by the US and European Union have left the Myanmar military scrambling for money. According to Myanmar NOW, since the US and EU imposed sanctions on key army-controlled banks and oil companies, over half a billion dollars of oil and gas money is being held in foreign bank accounts out of the military’s reach. The junta now faces …
Saturday was Human Rights Day. It’s a day to reflect on how we can take effective action in support the rights of others. This is also a day when we can celebrate our successful week in Washington, DC. Because of our year-long lobbying for the BURMA Act, Congress is on the brink of passing a significant new package of support for human …
Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, organized citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” You proved that right last week when you successfully pressed luxury jeweller Harry Winston to stop buying gems from Myanmar. This week, let’s stay focused on the oil companies Chevron, TotalEnergies, and POSCO. Together, …
Under pressure, Harry Winston announces it will no longer sell #GenocideGems International Campaign for the Rohingya applauds the announcement today by luxury jeweler Harry Winston that it will stop buying gems that originate from Myanmar (Burma). In a post to its social media, Harry Winston (owned by Swatch) announced today that it “will no longer source gemstones from its suppliers …
The Myanmar military is building up troops and equipment in Chin State and neighboring areas in North-Western Burma. This past week, the Myanmar military has burned down homes and churches in the Chin town of Thantlang. We are concerned that the military is on the verge of a large-scale offensive against civilians, using tactics ominously reminiscent of its attacks against the …
It’s long past time for Facebook to take down the pages of Myanmar military companies. These military-owned companies help fund the army and the atrocities it commits. And the social media giant continues to allow the Burmese military to use its accounts to spread hate speech, recruit soldiers, and build its lucrative business empire. Please click here to demand that Facebook delete the …
The Myanmar military is deploying tens of thousands of troops and heavy weapons to Chin State northern Myanmar. These tactics are ominously reminiscent of those the army employed in its genocidal attacks against the Rohingya in 2016 and 2017. The Chin people cannot wait. In response, U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet urged Singapore to help restrict the Myanmar military’s access …
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 …
Let’s hold the Myanmar military accountable. Last week, we joined over 90 organizations calling on U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to publicly determine that Myanmar has committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya people. This is a crucial initiative to hold the Myanmar military accountable for its atrocities throughout the country. Lead sponsored by Senator Ben Cardin and …
Six short months ago, we witnessed the Myanmar military depose the civilian government in a coup d’etat. Using the same tactics that it used against the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities, the Burmese army has brutally cracked down on the new, young, and multi-ethnic Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). In response, we immediately swung into action. Just hours after the military coup, we launched …