RandAlThor

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/46488758

European aerospace giant Airbus has officially divested from AviChina, a Chinese state-owned arms and aviation manufacturer linked to Myanmar’s military, according to a statement released Wednesday evening by the Blood Money Campaign.

The move, effective since April 1, follows months of pressure from the campaign’s global #Airbus2Airstrikes initiative, which was backed by 361 organizations. Rights advocates called it a “major blow” to the Myanmar junta’s ability to source military equipment through foreign partnerships.

AviChina, a subsidiary of China’s AVIC, has long been implicated in supplying aircraft and defence technology used by Myanmar’s military in deadly airstrikes. Activists say Airbus’s withdrawal sends a clear signal that international business ties with regimes complicit in war crimes are unacceptable.

European aerospace giant Airbus has officially divested from AviChina, a Chinese state-owned arms and aviation manufacturer linked to Myanmar’s military, according to a statement released Wednesday evening by the Blood Money Campaign.

The move, effective since April 1, follows months of pressure from the campaign’s global #Airbus2Airstrikes initiative, which was backed by 361 organizations. Rights advocates called it a “major blow” to the Myanmar junta’s ability to source military equipment through foreign partnerships.

AviChina, a subsidiary of China’s AVIC, has long been implicated in supplying aircraft and defence technology used by Myanmar’s military in deadly airstrikes. Activists say Airbus’s withdrawal sends a clear signal that international business ties with regimes complicit in war crimes are unacceptable.

Since taking control, the ethic army has imposed its rule on the ruby-rich town.

While companies affiliated with the previous military junta were banned from operating, locals allege that large-scale mining rights have been granted to individuals connected to TNLA leaders and foreign business interests, particularly from China and the Wa State—which is controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA)—and that those mining operations are causing serious environmental damage.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has amended the Union Election Commission Law, which allows government staff to chair all Myanmar’s election bodies ahead of voting due in December or January.

Many government departments are led by ex-military officers who can dominate the election sub-commissions down to the village level.