With many sanctions against the military-backed government in Burma in
the process of being suspended or lifted, there is intense interest from
European companies in investing and trading with Burma.
Trade
and investment in developing countries can help bring benefits to the
local population, both through the provision of employment and through
revenue for governments to provide services. However Burma does not have
a democratic and accountable government to ensure that revenue from
trade and investment benefits the people, providing services such as
schools and hospitals.
The European Burma Network urges
companies not to view Burma simply as a country where they can exploit
cheap labour and access natural resources cheaply. Several industries in
Burma, particularly natural resource extraction and energy projects,
are directly linked to human rights violations and environmental
destruction. Despite recent reforms, Burma still has one of the worst
human rights records in the world.
In his last report in March
2012, the UN special rapporteur on Burma listed a series of human rights
abuses, all committed in Burma in recent months, which could constitute
war crimes and crimes against humanity. They include: “…grave
violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including
attacks against the civilian population, extrajudicial killings,
internal displacement, the use of human shields and forced labour,
confiscation and destruction of property, and conflict-related sexual
violence...”
He also raised the possibility of a shift towards
different types of abuses in a changing economy. “Given the wave of
privatizations last year and the expected increase in foreign
investment, along with the new government’s plans to accelerate economic
development, I also fear an increase in land confiscations,
development-induced displacement and other violations of economic,
social and cultural rights.”
There remains a lack of
international law to ensure European companies always operate to the
highest standards outside the EU. In addition, Burma lacks laws to
regulate companies, to protect workers, and protect the environment. It
also lacks an independent judiciary and the rule of law that could
enforce such regulations, and is one of the most corrupt countries in
the world.
Members and observers of the European Burma Network
endorse the “Benchmarks for Investment in Energy, Extractive and Land
Sectors in Burma” issued by the Burma Environmental Working Group (BEWG)
on 22nd March 2012. (The statement is available online at: http://www.bewg.org/). BEWG is an alliance of grassroots environmental and social organizations.
Five key benchmarks have been established by the BEWG:
1) Do no harm – Investment should not exacerbate natural resource and land-based conflict in Burma.
2)
Best practices or no practices – Investors should respect the widely
accepted global standards for environmental and human rights law while
following international best practices in human rights, social and
environmental impact assessments.
3) Act transparently and with
Principles - Investors should have a zero-tolerance policy on corruption
and should uphold full revenue and contract transparency.
4) Support Ccvil society not impunity - Civil society should be free to fulfill its role without threat of repression or abuse.
5) Empower communities - Community grievances must be fully addressed in existing and proposed investments.
The
European Burma Network will work with local communities and workers to
monitor the activities of European companies operating in Burma.
Companies that do not respect the guidelines from the BEWG, or are
linked to any human rights abuses, exploitation of workers or suppliers,
and environmental destruction, will be targeted for high profile
campaigns by members of the European Burma Network. These could include
boycotts, protests, shareholder actions and exposure in the media of
their links to any abuses. All national and international legal options
will also be pursued.
