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
March 2010
DR Congo: ex-rebels take over mineral trade extortion racket
Former rebels from the Congrès national pour la défense du peuple (CNDP) have established mafia-style extortion rackets covering some of the most lucrative tin and tantalum mining areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Global Witness reported today following four weeks of research in the region.
Landmark oil and mining transparency initiative faces credibility test as key deadline passes
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a pioneering initiative to bring more openness to the world's oil and mining industries, faces a major credibility test after 20 out of 22 countries failed to meet a key deadline today.
Global Witness urges Cambodia’s donors to condemn sponsorship of military units by private businesses
Aid donors to Cambodia, including the US, EU, Japan, China and the World Bank, should send a strong message to the government that they will not countenance the bankrolling of Cambodia’s military by private businesses. This call follows the announcement last week by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen of the formation of 42 official partnerships between private businesses and Cambodian military units.
February 2010
A near miss? Lessons learnt from the allocation of mining licences in the Gola Forest Reserve in Sierra Leone
Between 2005 and 2007, two mining licences were issued in the Gola Forest Reserve in Sierra Leone, even though the area was a proposed national park. This new report identifies weaknesses in Sierra Leone's natural resource governance and attempts to draw lessons for the future.
Parliamentary committee report on libel, privacy and press freedom not strong enough to defend public interest reporting
A report on press standards, privacy and libel makes broadly sensible recommendations but does not go far enough to allay fears that England's laws are a barrier to public-interest campaigning.
Campaigners criticise proposals to define palm oil plantations as forests
The Ecosystems Climate Alliance today criticised the EU and Indonesia for attempting to reclassify palm oil plantations as forests, saying this would be a step backwards in efforts to halt climate change though preventing deforestation.
28 countries accused of facilitating money laundering … but key offenders missing
An international financial crime watchdog has named and shamed countries that are failing to stop dirty money entering the financial system, a move welcomed by Global Witness. However, conspicuously absent are major financial centres and secrecy jurisdictions, many of which also have serious weaknesses in their anti-money laundering regulations.
Metals in mobile phones financing brutal war in Congo
Metals found in everyday electronics items, such as mobile phones and computers, are being mined illegally in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and funding a conflict that has caused millions of deaths, said Global Witness on the opening day of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
