{"id":1276553,"date":"2023-10-18T07:18:27","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T07:18:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forum-asia.org\/?p=38709"},"modified":"2023-10-18T07:18:27","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T07:18:27","slug":"joint-statement-indonesia-government-must-investigate-alleged-arms-trade-between-state-owned-enterprises-and-the-myanmar-military-junta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2023\/10\/18\/joint-statement-indonesia-government-must-investigate-alleged-arms-trade-between-state-owned-enterprises-and-the-myanmar-military-junta\/","title":{"rendered":"[Joint Statement] Indonesia: Government must investigate alleged arms trade between state-owned enterprises and the Myanmar military junta"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Bangkok, 18 October 2023) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and 26 member organisations express are gravely concerned over the alleged arms trade between three Indonesian state-owned weapons manufacturers and the Myanmar military junta.<\/p>\n

We call on the Government of Indonesia to thoroughly investigate the matter and to cease all activities that could potentially enable, legitimise, or intensify the junta\u2019s atrocities.<\/p>\n

On 2 October 2023, the Myanmar Accountability Project, the Chin Human Rights Organization, and Marzuki Darusman\u2013Indonesia\u2019s ex-attorney general and chair of the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar to the National Commission on Human Rights of Indonesia (KOMNAS HAM)–filed a formal complaint<\/a> to initiate an investigation into the alleged involvement of PT. Pindad, PT. PAL, and PT. Dirgantara Indonesia in supplying weapons to the Myanmar military junta, particularly since the attempted coup in February 2021.<\/p>\n

Citing open-source investigations, the sale was allegedly made to Myanmar\u2019s True North Co. Ltd owned by Htoo Htoo Shein Oo. The latter is the son of the junta\u2019s Planning and Finance Minister Win Shein, who is currently sanctioned by the United States, Canada, and European Union for his role in the military government.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Contradicting Claims<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, the three enterprises alongside its holding company, DEFEND ID, have denied<\/a> the allegations. They claimed that PT Pindad\u2019s arms export to Myanmar was limited to the ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet in 2016. Meanwhile, PT. PAL and PT. Dirgantara Indonesia claimed that it never had any form of agreement with Myanmar.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, True North Co Ltd has referred to the three companies as its \u2018strategic partners.\u2019 Moreover,\u00a0 in July 2023\u2013following a visit by the Indonesian President Joko Widodo to PT Pindad\u2019s manufacturing facility\u2013PT. Pindad confirmed<\/a> that it had exported munitions to multiple countries including Myanmar. This may indicate a possible provision of arms by the three companies to Myanmar before and post the attempted coup.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lest we forget, the Myanmar military junta has killed<\/a> approximately 3,857 civilians, including 610 women and 376 children. Proving its blatant disregard for human lives, the junta has launched approximately 687 airstrikes between April 2022 and July 2023. In October 2023, the junta ruthlessly attacked<\/a> a camp for displaced persons in Kachin State, killing 29 people and wounding 56 others.<\/p>\n

Reiterating Indonesia\u2019s position as the current ASEAN Chair and an upcoming member of the UN Human Rights Council from 2024 to 2026, the Indonesian Government has pledged <\/a>to actively promote and protect human rights in the region. Likewise, the government committed to condemn<\/a> the continued acts of violence in Myanmar. In fact, President Widodo stated<\/a> that tactical and extraordinary efforts are crucial for successfully implementing the ASEAN\u2019s five-point consensus<\/a>. At the UN General Assembly, Indonesia voted <\/a>for the prevention of arms flow to Myanmar. The Indonesian Government must therefore take genuine action to actualise such commitments.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Call to Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

FORUM-ASIA calls on the Indonesian Government to uphold its commitment to protect human rights and cease all activities\u2013including arms trade\u2013that can further endanger the lives of the people of Myanmar.<\/p>\n

To ensure accountability, we urge the government to thoroughly investigate the alleged arms trade between its state-owned companies and Myanmar.<\/p>\n

\u2018Stepping into its new role of championing human rights protection across the entire region, Indonesia must ensure that it does not contribute\u2013either directly or indirectly\u2013to the sufferings of the people of Myanmar.\u00a0 The government must do its best to prove and guarantee that none of its state-owned enterprises is involved in any way with the Myanmar military junta. Profits must never come at the cost of democracy, lives, and the fundamental freedoms of the Myanmar people,\u2019 said Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Signatories<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)<\/li>\n
  2. Association of Women for Awareness & Motivation (AWAM) – Pakistan<\/li>\n
  3. Awaz Foundation Pakistan \u2013 Centre for Development Services<\/li>\n
  4. Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) – India<\/li>\n
  5. Bytes for All (B4A) – Pakistan<\/li>\n
  6. Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC)<\/li>\n
  7. Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO)<\/li>\n
  8. Center for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) – Mongolia<\/li>\n
  9. Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence \u2013 Komisi untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan (KontraS) \u2013 Indonesia<\/li>\n
  10. Defence of Human Rights (DHR) – Pakistan<\/li>\n
  11. Equality Myanmar (EQMM)<\/li>\n
  12. Forum for Dignity Initiatives (FDI) \u2013 Pakistan<\/li>\n
  13. Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI)<\/li>\n
  14. International Legal Initiative Public Foundation (ILI Foundation) – Kazakhstan<\/li>\n
  15. Korean House for International Solidarity (KHIS) \u2013 South Korea<\/li>\n
  16. Madaripur Legal Aid Association (MLAA), Bangladesh<\/li>\n
  17. National Alliance for Human Rights and Social Justice (Human Rights Alliance) – Nepal<\/li>\n
  18. National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) – Pakistan<\/li>\n
  19. People\u2019s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) \u2013 South Korea<\/li>\n
  20. People’s Watch, India<\/li>\n
  21. Progressive Voice<\/li>\n
  22. Psychological Responsiveness NGO, Mongolia<\/li>\n
  23. Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) \u2013 Bangladesh<\/li>\n
  24. The Indonesian Human Rights Monitor (Imparsial)<\/li>\n
  25. Think Centre – Singapore<\/li>\n
  26. Women\u2019s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) \u2013 Nepal<\/li>\n
  27. YLBHI (Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    About FORUM-ASIA:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)<\/strong> is a network of 85 member organisations across 23 countries, mainly in Asia. Founded in 1991, FORUM-ASIA works to strengthen movements for human rights and sustainable development through research, advocacy, capacity development and solidarity actions in Asia and beyond. It has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and consultative relationship with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. The FORUM-ASIA Secretariat is based in Bangkok, with offices in Jakarta, Geneva and Kathmandu. www.forum-asia.org<\/a><\/p>\n

    For media inquiries, please contact:<\/strong><\/p>\n