Energy Insecurity
How Total, Chevron, and PTTEP Contribute to Human Rights Violations,
The oil companies Total (France), Chevron (US), and PTTEP (Thailand) have generated over US $9 billion dollars in military-ruled Burma (Myanmar) since 1998, making their Yadana Natural Gas Project the single largest source of revenue for the country’s notoriously repressive dictatorship. Over half of the total project revenue — nearly $5 billion — went directly to the Burmese military junta, according to a new report by EarthRights International, and the companies have refused former heads of state who requested they disclose their payments to the Burmese regime.
The report alleges the funds have enabled the country’s autocratic junta to maintain power and pursue an expensive, illegal nuclear weapons program while participating in illicit weapons trade in collaboration with North Korea, threatening the domestic and regional security balance.
The 49-page report, Energy Insecurity: How Total, Chevron, and PTTEP Contribute to Human Rights Violations, Financial Secrecy, and Nuclear Proliferation in Burma (Myanmar), documents how the three companies are refusing requests by investors, labor unions, NGOs, and even former heads of state to disclose nearly 20 years of payments to the Burmese state, while the ruling generals orchestrate the country’s first elections in 20 years. The report reveals how the companies have misled their shareholders, the public, and governments about their legal ability to disclose their financial dealings in Burma.
The report also finds that the oil companies are complicit in targeted killings of two ethnic Mon villagers and in ongoing forced labor connected to their 60 kilometer (onshore) Yadana (meaning treasure) gas pipeline, which transports Burmese gas to Thailand. These violent abuses were committed by Burma Army soldiers providing security for the companies and the pipeline within the last year. According to the report, Total and Chevron ―face the real potential for legal liability‖ and can be sued in their home states for the abuses documented in the report.
The report alleges the funds have enabled the country’s autocratic junta to maintain power and pursue an expensive, illegal nuclear weapons program while participating in illicit weapons trade in collaboration with North Korea, threatening the domestic and regional security balance.
The 49-page report, Energy Insecurity: How Total, Chevron, and PTTEP Contribute to Human Rights Violations, Financial Secrecy, and Nuclear Proliferation in Burma (Myanmar), documents how the three companies are refusing requests by investors, labor unions, NGOs, and even former heads of state to disclose nearly 20 years of payments to the Burmese state, while the ruling generals orchestrate the country’s first elections in 20 years. The report reveals how the companies have misled their shareholders, the public, and governments about their legal ability to disclose their financial dealings in Burma.
The report also finds that the oil companies are complicit in targeted killings of two ethnic Mon villagers and in ongoing forced labor connected to their 60 kilometer (onshore) Yadana (meaning treasure) gas pipeline, which transports Burmese gas to Thailand. These violent abuses were committed by Burma Army soldiers providing security for the companies and the pipeline within the last year. According to the report, Total and Chevron ―face the real potential for legal liability‖ and can be sued in their home states for the abuses documented in the report.
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Energy Insecurity.pdf
(Size
1.4 MB)
| Type | Report |
|---|---|
| Date | July 2010 |
| Responsible organisation |
EarthRights International
|
