Statement by concerned businesses operating in Myanmar

Since 1st February 2021, the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business has engaged with many multinational and Myanmar businesses to help them navigate the business and human rights challenges which they are facing.

At the request of some of these companies, MCRB has facilitated the statement below, to which the companies whose names are listed have aligned. Any other company – international or Myanmar - which wishes to align to this statement is invited to contact MCRB.

Our companies, as investors in Myanmar, have watched with growing and deep concern the developments in Myanmar since the declaration of a state of emergency on 1st February.

Through our investments, operations, local partnerships and products, we support over a hundred thousand local jobs. The safety, security and wellbeing of our employees and those employed by our suppliers remains our primary concern. In recent days, we have sought to adapt our operations to ensure the safety of our employees and the provision of essential services to the Myanmar people – whether food and drink, electricity, telecommunications, financial services or manufacturing - while respecting the individual rights to freedom of expression of our employees and the people of Myanmar.

As investors, we inhabit a ‘shared space’ with the people of Myanmar, including civil society organisations, in which we all benefit from respect for human rights, democracy and fundamental freedoms – including freedom of expression and association - and the rule of law. The rule of law, respect for human rights, and the unrestricted flow of information all contribute to a stable business environment.

We have always sought to operate in Myanmar transparently, and in line with core ILO Conventions and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This includes undertaking ongoing human rights and wider business integrity due diligence, and complying with applicable sanctions, as well as the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the UK Anti-Bribery Act and Myanmar anti-bribery laws.

We will also continue to work hand in hand with local business partners which share the same approach. We believe our business presence, practices, and advocacy for a level playing field for all businesses, and our commitment to international human rights standards contribute in a significant way to the journey of openness and democracy in Myanmar.

We remain committed to our employees and to the people of Myanmar. We hope to see a swift resolution of the current situation based on dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar.

See the MCRB page for the up-to-date list of signatories.

The Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business is a joint initiative of the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR).