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Article

31 Jan 2024

Author:
Access Now, Association for Progressive Communications, Athan – Freedom of Expression Activist Organization, Burma Academy, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, DigiSec Lab, EngageMedia, Foundation for Media Alternatives, Heartland Initiative, Myanmar Internet Project, Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica, OONI: Open Observatory of Network Interference, Open Net Korea, Partido Manggagawa, SAFEnet, Spring Revolution Security, Thai Netizen Network, The Red Flag, Spring Sprouts

Myanmar: CSOs urge int'l community to stop support allowing military to strengthen surveillance infrastructure

"A call for global solidarity and decisive action to end Myanmar’s military rule and ensure victory for the people resisting dictatorship", 31 January 2024

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The international community must stop all forms of support that allow the military to strengthen its surveillance infrastructure against the people, even as they present them as “pro-people” propaganda projects.

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Companies must:

  • Urgently explain how they conduct due diligence to ensure that their operations and products in Myanmar do not negatively or adversely impact human rights. Telcos must do this without delay, as their partnerships with the military significantly enable the military junta’s human rights abuses. Companies producing or selling other types of technologies, including dual-use surveillance technologies, must stop all transactions involving the military and its allies.
  • If leaving the market becomes the ultimate decision after a thorough human rights due diligence process, ensure that comprehensive remedies are in place to address the human rights impacts of the departure. Companies must be held accountable for irresponsible exits out of areas of crisis and conflict.
  • Conduct heightened due diligence to ensure that their products and services are not used in violation of human rights by the military or by military-controlled institutions, and  immediately remove these products or services from the market if they are being used to facilitate rights abuses. Invest significant resources to implement human rights-based content moderation practices, data protection policies, and privacy safeguards to resist increasing attempts to extend surveillance, censorship, and rights violations.
  • Pursue genuine public engagement in its decision-making process and implement effective remedies when human rights violations are committed.

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