Amnesty Intl Cautions UK about Burma Military Ties

8 February 2013

Amnesty International has warned the British military about its plans to build defense ties with Burma, as Burma’s military is still linked to human rights abuses. Britain wants to open a defense office and post a defense attaché in its embassy in Rangoon in order to develop ties with Burma’s armed forces. Amnesty International UK said in a statement that Burma’s military is “synonymous with human rights abuses and the UK’s closeness to them must not come at the cost of turning a blind eye to potential future abuses.” The UK should treat the link-ups as opportunities to help improve human rights … and not just as trading or strategic ventures.”