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Article

11 Jul 2012

Author:
Human Rights Watch

Burma: US Backtracks on ‘Responsible Investment’ Pledge - Business Reporting Requirements Won’t Deter Abuses, Corruption

The new United States government policy allowing business activity in Burma’s controversial oil sector with reporting requirements will not adequately prevent new investments from fueling abuses and undermining reform, Human Rights Watch said today. The [government] announced that it will waive longstanding US sanctions on investment and financial services in Burma...“The US government should have insisted that good governance and human rights reform be essential operating principles for new investments...,” said Arvind Ganesan, business and human rights director at Human Rights Watch. “By allowing deals with Burma’s state-owned oil company [Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE)], the US looks like it caved to industry pressure and undercut Aung San Suu Kyi...” ...In June, Aung San Suu Kyi called on governments to block investments with MOGE until it meets international standards designed to ensure that public funds are managed in a transparent and accountable manner. [refers to Chevron]