We did

Over the past two years since the illegal coup attempt by the junta, the Blood Money Campaign has played a pivotal role in the Spring Revolution, both on a local and international scale. We have successfully raised public awareness regarding the critical importance of cutting off revenue streams to the Brutal Junta - State Administrative Council (SAC) and mobilized public participation in campaigns and advocacy platforms. 

The EU sanctioned the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) last year (2022), while the US, on January 31, 2023, sanctioned senior individuals within MOGE, albeit without targeting the entity itself. In the wake of the coup in Myanmar, the lives of its citizens, particularly vulnerable communities in the central regions and ethnic groups residing in remote areas, have been plunged into a daily nightmare. Since the coup, the harrowing statistics paint a grim picture: many people have lost their lives, while a staggering number of individuals have been arrested, with many still languishing in detention, Moreover, many people bear the enduring scars of brutal attacks by the military regime, leaving them with permanent injuries and disabilities.

The resources fueling this horrific repression and the purchase of arms to commit war crimes are derived from the foreign currency earned through the exploitation of Myanmar's natural resources, notably the oil and gas sector. It is in this context that the Blood Money Campaign (BMC) has undertaken a mission to staunch the flow of foreign currency into the hands of the military junta, thereby cutting off a vital lifeline that sustains their oppressive activities.

Through various campaigns, sustained engagement efforts, and advocacy directed at a range of stakeholders, BMC has achieved significant milestones. The EU has imposed sanctions on MOGE. Large corporations like TOTAL and Chevron have withdrawn from Myanmar gas projects, with BMC and other civil society organizations calling for ceasing payment to the Junta. The impact of the campaign can be seen in the response of companies like PTT, which reacted to the pressure by closing comment and review sections on Facebook and removing their location from Google Maps. Moreover, the United States imposed sanctions on the director and deputy director of MOGE on January 31, 2023, further increasing the pressure on the company and its ties to the junta. In addition, Nikkei Asia News reported that PTTEP postponed a $2 billion project that included power generation due to the campaign's influence. PTT also announced its decision to cease storing fuel in Myanmar for its oil and retail businesses in December. These actions have significantly impeded MOGE’s ability to operate projects independently as the company struggles to secure financing amid Western sanctions against its executives. The campaign's influence extended to global protests and marches during the third global call, with participants from more than 21 countries chanting slogans such as "Sanction MOGE" and "Stop Payments to the Junta." The engagement on social media platforms reached over 200,000 individuals from the international community, while more than 150 local and international organizations actively supported the cause during the call. Concurrently, the National Unity Government (NUG) announced its intent to potentially take legal action against the Thai state-owned PTTEP on March 20. Furthermore, on April 28, 2023, the Norwegian central bank made a significant move by excluding two oil and gas companies, GAIL and KOGAS, from its USD 1.4 trillion wealth fund. The exclusion highlighted the unacceptable risk that these companies posed by contributing to serious violations of people's rights in times of war or conflict as well as their collaboration with military-affiliated organizations in Myanmar, citing ethical concerns over their connections to the Myanmar military. Similarly, on April 13, ENEOS Holdings approved its withdrawal from the Yetagun gas project in Myanmar, despite the endorsement of the illegitimate military junta. The campaign's advocacy had an impact on the Yetagun gas project, which Malaysian company Petronas operates in collaboration with MOGE, PTTEP, and Nippon Oil Exploration. These developments underscore the campaign's notable achievements in exerting pressure on companies involved in the oil and gas sector as well as the junta itself. 

We are also targeting the government of Singapore. The Myanmar military junta has been relying on Singapore for funds, arms, equipment, technology, and jet fuel since February 2021. Singapore is the third-largest supplier of arms and equipment to the Myanmar military, with a trade worth $254 million. The junta has been waging a campaign of terror, including airstrikes, shelling, murder, torture, detention, rape, and destruction of homes and food supplies. Despite UK and US sanctions, the Shoon Group of Companies continues to operate in Singapore, supplying the junta with jet fuel.

The Blood Money Campaign, spearheaded by international governments, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union, achieved a significant milestone on October 31, 2023. On this pivotal day, the United States has taken a substantial step by imposing financial restrictions on MOGE. The objective of these sanctions is to disrupt the military junta's access to the U.S. financial system, ultimately curbing its capacity to continue committing atrocities and human rights violations. The financial restrictions imposed on MOGE represent a significant achievement for the Blood Money Campaign. The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a directive on October 31, 2023, that prohibits US persons from exporting or reexporting, directly or indirectly, providing financial services to or for the benefit of MOGE or its property or interests in property. By cutting off a crucial source of revenue for the military regime, the sanctions will restrict their ability to finance their oppressive actions and purchase arms for further violence. This action will contribute to international efforts to hold the junta accountable for its human rights abuses and promote a more just and democratic future for Myanmar.

Since the establishment of the Blood Money Campaign (BMC), the campaign has consistently called upon the United States to impose sanctions on MOGE. The BMC's advocacy efforts aimed to raise awareness about the significant role MOGE played in funding the military Junta's oppressive activities.  Millions of dollars of MOGE have been utilized by the Junta to finance the acquisition of weapons and military equipment from abroad, perpetuating atrocities and human rights abuses.