January

Blood Taxation MOvement

Target: Myanmar citizens currently employed abroad with a Myanmar passport.

The oppressive junta, facing international sanctions and military setbacks, is focusing on extracting funds from Myanmar citizens working overseas through taxation. In September 2023, the junta, disregarding existing laws, amended the taxation regulations. Starting in October 2023, Myanmar migrant workers are obligated to pay income taxes. Failure to comply with this amendment will result in the denial of passport renewal by the junta, a process overseen by Myanmar embassies in foreign nations. The inability to renew passports may lead to difficulties in obtaining visas, work permits, and returning to Myanmar. Unfortunately, the tax revenue collected by the junta is utilized for detrimental purposes, such as purchasing weapons and jet fuel, contributing to the ongoing violence in Myanmar and the loss of innocent lives.

Letters were sent on January 8 to overseas workers to inform them about the taxation amendment and the campaign's objectives. The letters emphasize the importance of collaboration with diaspora groups to collectively find alternative ways to avoid contributing taxes to the brutal junta. We recognize the challenging dilemma faced by overseas workers, where their survival and work ease are crucial considerations, and acknowledge the difficulty of navigating the campaign while prioritizing both the workers' well-being and the objective of not funding the junta.

We typically recognize that overseas workers understand their country's context best and encourage them to find their ways not to pay taxes. We take a collaborative approach by coordinating with taxation experts to provide guidance and support to overseas workers and diaspora groups. The Blood Money Campaign has worked to coordinate meetings between taxation experts, overseas workers, and diaspora groups. The objective is to collectively find possible solutions that align with the workers' understanding of their country's context.

The key consideration of this movement is balancing the necessity for overseas workers' survival and work ease with the campaign's goal of not funding the junta and encouraging self-determined actions by overseas workers while offering support through coordination with taxation experts.

The organizations that are working together in this movement: Global Myanmar Spring Revolution - GMSR, General Strike Coordination Body - GSCB, Blood Money Campaign – BMC, Sitt Nyein Pan, Myanmar Muslim Revolution Force – MMRF, Federal Health Workforce, Minority Affairs Institute – MAI, CRPH Support Group Norway, Kachin State Civilian Movement, Democratic Youth Council – DYC, New Power Generation – NPG, MyaYar Knowledge Tree, Myanmar Student Union (ABFSU - USA), National Alliance Bangkok, and CRPH, NUG Support Team Germany- Deutschland

Ban Jet Fuel

Blood Money campaign started a campaign to target Junta’s Access to Jet Fuel in December 2023. Jet Fuel Accountability Campaign 2024: The Blood Money Campaign is focused on curbing military junta access to jet fuel. We urge states and companies to halt the export of aviation fuel to Myanmar, demanding a commitment to ending impunity for both international and domestic companies involved in shipping, importing, providing insurance, storing, and distributing jet fuel utilized by the military junta in their campaign against humanity. The campaign sheds light on the distant port of origin for the fuel, tracing its path to unlawful air strikes that have resulted in civilian casualties. Amnesty International's report highlights the pivotal role played by Puma Energy, majority-owned by global commodity giant Trafigura, in supplying the Myanmar military since 2015 through its local entities. The report also exposes the involvement of global and regional oil companies, maritime insurers, vessel owners, shipping agents, and truck distributors in this supply chain. The revelation underscores the interconnected web of support that enables the Myanmar military's actions. Depriving the military junta of aviation fuel is crucial, as it would render them incapable of powering the aircraft responsible for committing crimes through air strikes against civilians. The campaign seeks to hold all involved entities accountable and disrupt the supply chain supporting these reprehensible activities.

January 10 - Demonstration in Italy:

The Myanmar Community Group in Italy organized a demonstration on January 10. The purpose was to protest and raise awareness about the situation in Myanmar. The demonstration focused on advocating for the ban of jet fuel exports to the Myanmar fascist dictatorship. This event in Italy signifies the global reach and collaboration of international communities in standing against oppressive regimes.

January 17 - Poster Campaign in Yangon:

An alliance in Yangon conducted a poster campaign on January 17 to further amplify the message against the oppressive regime. The movement against the junta is not limited to international advocacy but also involves on-the-ground actions within Myanmar.

FoCUS on PTT

PTTEP, or PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, is a Thai state-owned oil and gas company that operates in Myanmar (also known as Burma). The company has been facing criticism for its business activities in the country, particularly its involvement in natural gas extraction and pipeline projects. Given the current situation in Myanmar, we have called for a boycott of PTTEP products, such as PTT lubricants and PTT-owned Cafe Amazon, in the country. This is because PTTEP is supporting the military regime by continuing to do business in Myanmar despite the human rights abuses and political instability. Boycotting PTTEP products in Myanmar is one way for individuals to take a stand against the military regime and support the cause of democracy and human rights in the country.

Meeting with Robeco

The Blood Money Campaign met with Robeco, one of the investors in PTT, on January 16, 2023. In the meeting, BMC outlined the current situation in Myanmar. BMC raised concerns about Robeco's inaction in response to the Myanmar crisis. Specific focus on Robeco's approach towards PTTEP (a company implicated in the conflict).

Robeco emphasized its sustainable investment strategy, covering climate, biodiversity, and human rights. Engagement program initiated in 2021 for enhanced HR due diligence (HRDD) in conflict areas, including Myanmar. PTTEP included in their engagement, using external providers like Sustainalytics and MSCI. PTTEP on watchlist; engagement program to end in 2024. Robeco addressed the deteriorating situation in Myanmar in communication with PTTEP.

Robeco outlined engagement objectives: policy commitment, enhanced HRDD, remediation, reporting, and performance measurement. PTTEP's responsiveness, ongoing engagement, and the company's commitment to UNGPs were discussed. Concerns were raised about PTTEP's contribution to human rights abuses, leveraging revenues without diverting them.

Robeco explained their assessment, indicating PTTEP is in a high-risk program based on external guidance. Discussion on whether PTTEP's refusal to use leverage should lead to divestment. Robeco mentioned continuous evaluation and engagement until the program's end in 2024. Robeco clarified the indirect financial link to HR abuses and the challenges in defining direct and indirect contributions. Mentioned PTTEP's substantial leverage and the complexity of diverting revenues.

Next Steps and Complaints: BMC is exploring complaints to UK, US, and Dutch National Contact Points (NCPs), as well as engagement with MSCI and rating agencies. The aims of filing complaints and potential outcomes were not explicitly stated. Exploration of complaints to NCPs and engagement with rating agencies and MSCI.

Awareness

The campaign primarily targets the awareness of PTT's involvement in the military's actions, specifically in what is referred to as the "killing fields."Utilization of various social media platforms for disseminating content. Graphic visuals and videos are employed to convey the severity and impact of PTT's role in the military's actions. The intention is to create engaging and impactful content that captures the attention of the audience to put more pressure on PTT-PTTEP to stop payments to junta and stop extending an expanding their projects in Myanmar under the military coup. The campaign likely advocates for accountability, calling for actions to be taken against the junta.

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