Amnesty International Criticizes Premier Oil's Presence in Myanmar

Strategic Insights -

Amnesty International has expressed astonishment at Premier Oil's claim that its ongoing dialogue with the human rights organization had made a significant difference in Myanmar. Despite this assertion, the human rights situation in Myanmar remains extremely grave, with the Myanmar Army continuing to seize civilians for forced labor duties, hundreds of thousands of ethnic minority civilians being forcibly removed from their ancestral lands, and 1,500 political prisoners remaining in jails in appalling conditions. The organization has called upon companies like Premier Oil to demonstrate the positive changes they have brought about in Myanmar.

Key Takeaways:

  • Amnesty International has been in contact with Premier Oil as part of its ongoing policy to engage with all actors in society, including major international corporations.
  • The human rights situation in Myanmar continues to be extremely grave, with widespread forced labor, displacement of ethnic minority civilians, and torture in secret military intelligence centers.
  • Premier Oil's claim that its dialogue with Amnesty International has made a significant difference in Myanmar is disputed by the organization.
  • The Myanmar Army continues to seize civilians for forced labor duties throughout the country.
  • Hundreds of thousands of ethnic minority civilians have been forcibly removed from their ancestral lands without compensation.
  • Some 1,500 political prisoners remain in Myanmar jails in appalling conditions.
  • Amnesty International expects companies operating in countries with grave human rights violations to be responsible in upholding human rights.
  • The organization does not endorse companies' presence in such countries, but calls upon them to demonstrate positive change.

Statistics:

  • 1,500 political prisoners remain in Myanmar jails in appalling conditions.
  • Hundreds of thousands of ethnic minority civilians have been forcibly removed from their ancestral lands without compensation.
  • The Myanmar Army continues to seize civilians for forced labor duties throughout the country.
  • Amnesty International has been in contact with Premier Oil as part of its ongoing policy to engage with all actors in society, including major international corporations.

Sources:

  • Amnesty International (no date)
  • (M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)