Groups criticise govt for breaching EITI Standard

Last week, Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability (MATA) formed with over 300 civil society organisations reiterated its stand that the Myanmar government violated the standard. Some members said the civic organisations may not take part in the effort, if the government fails to handle the case properly.

On December 22, a 56-year-old woman, Khin Win, was shot dead in a protest against the copper mine project’s land fencing. The clash of security forces and the local residents continued for two days. While Myanmar Wanbao Copper Mining Co Ltd, the operator of the mine, was forced to temporarily suspend the fencing, more protests occur as anti-Chinese sentiments intensified. A government committee tasked to investigate what really happened at the scene has not yet released its finding.

According to Article 1.3 of the EITI Standard, the Myanmar government has pledged to refrain from obstructing freedom of expression in relation to the production of natural resources in the country, it said. The Letpaduangtaung conflict, culminated in one death in a protest last month, was cited as one of the violations.

"Conflicts rise in other countries when they are trying to implement EITI. The International EITI board will give the advice on how to handle the issue. This is why the CSOs are demanding [its involvement]. Otherwise, there are many countries where the implementations of EITI have been halted," said Tun Myint Aung, member of MATA.

It urged the government to seek advice from international EITI board how to handle the Letpadaungtaung conflict. MATA has also urged the government to call for an emergency meeting between the government, the business sector and CSOs – the three parties involved in guaranteeing transparency in extracting projects. However, the government still has not responded back to their demand.

"If Myanmar is not able to solve this conflict, it would be difficult for it to become a full-fledged member of the EITI. As Myanmar has pledged to abide by the EITI Standard, the government seems to be shamefully breaching the rules. It's shameful for the country. There may be hindrances in international relations," he added.

Myanmar is now working on drafting a report to become a full-fledged member of EITI, after winning the candidacy in July 2014. World Bank’s EITI standards are in place to ensure the transparency of income from natural resources, on the belief that natural resources belong to a country’s citizens and poor management can lead to corruption and even conflict.

The government’s report must be finished within 18 months from July 2014. The report would not be completed without assistance from civic organisations.

The oil, mining and forest sectors have been selected as the priority ones for the final report.

Civic organisations have so far criticised the government of intimidation. 

“When we held forums to share EITI information, we faced intimidation. In Magway and Rakhine, some people came and forced us to stop our process,” said Moe Moe Tun, a CSO member.