Global Witness - Breaking the links between natural resources, conflict and corruption
Burma
The role of timber in Burma's recent history has been as varied as it has been pivotal. Burma has been at war ever since independence was granted in 1948, in large part due to the desire of the combatants to control access to these natural resources. Since independence there have been hundreds of thousands of deaths among both combatants and non-combatants. War-related displacement has led to 300,000 refugees, in official camps, in neighbouring countries and one million internally displaced people (IDP) in Burma.
Since 1988, the ruling military regime (the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)) has been the ultimate arbiter of forest resources both within Burma and internationally and this control, together with the revenue derived from the timber trade, continues to play a significant part in the maintenance of its grip on power. At the same time timber revenue and control of the trade on the border have enabled the armed ethnic opposition to finance their side of the conflict. Countries such as China and Thailand have supported the insurgent groups, often in exchange for access to natural resources including timber.
The human rights abuses of the military regime are well documented and abhorrent, but none of the combatant groups is entirely blameless. It is equally clear that whilst the civilian population has suffered, combatants on all sides have used their privileged positions for personal enrichment to the detriment of the people they claim to be fighting for. After the ceasefires between the regime and the armed ethnic opposition groups in the early 1990s new areas bordering Thailand and especially China have been opened up for uncontrolled logging in one of the world’s most exceptional biodiversity hotspots. Much of the logging currently taking place in Burma not directly financing conflict is, nevertheless, very destructive and ultimately is not in the best interests of Burma's people.
Latest Publications
February 2010
Global Witness Vacancy - Senior Climate Campaigner
Global Witness is recruiting for an experienced senior campaigner to work with two of the Founder Directors, to shape and implement Global Witness' new Climate Campaign. The campaign is an advocacy based campaign on climate change and energy security.
Senate shines welcome spotlight on U.S. facilitation of corruption
A senate subcommittee hearing this week will expose how foreign politicians have used the services of American lawyers, bankers, lobbyists and other professionals, to bring millions of suspect dollars into the country.
January 2010
New report urges UN to learn lessons on resource-fuelled wars
The UN and Member States must do more to address the role of natural resources in incentivising, financing and preventing resolution of conflict, according to a new report from Global Witness, which draws on lessons from countries including the DRC, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Global Witness launches pioneering forest transparency website
Natural-resource campaign group Global Witness is today publishing the first ever Forest Sector Transparency Report Card via a dedicated website, www.foresttransparency.info. The launch will take place at an illegal logging update meeting today, hosted by Chatham House in London.
Proposed changes to Liberian forest laws would open way for devastating logging and slash government revenues
Changes to Liberia's forestry law proposed by the Liberian Timber Association would dramatically reduce revenue for the state and are not in the best interests of the country.
Ghana controversy shows need to shine a light on oil deals
A controversy over allegations of corruption in the oil industry, which broke last week in Ghana, shows the need for much greater openness in the way in which companies gain access to the oil reserves of developing countries.
