CSOs call on Airbus to pressure Chinese firm supplying junta

By Admin 11 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
11 December 2024, Mrauk-U

More than 300 domestic and international civil society organisations have sent an open letter to France-based airline manufacturer Airbus, urging the company to pressure its partner firm, the Chinese-owned AVIC, to stop supporting Myanmar’s military regime.

AVIC is one of the world’s biggest defence contractors, and the Chinese aviation firm supplies aviation fuel, weapons and technologies to the regime as it commits war crimes across Myanmar.

On International Human Rights Day on December 10, more than 300 civil society organisations, including Blood Money Campaign and Burma Campaign UK, sent an open letter to the CEO of Airbus urging it to use its influence with AVIC to end its arms sale to the regime.

“The Chinese state-owned AVIC has been providing the regime with aircraft, weapons, and technology. We have urged Airbus to pressure it into ending its supply to the regime. We asked Airbus to withdraw all investments from AVIC if the Chinese firm does not listen,” a representative from the Blood Money Campaign told DMG.

The civil society organisations stated that Airbus is risking reputational self-harm by partnering with a company supporting the regime. They are demanding that Airbus pressure AVIC into ending its supply to the regime, and urged the Airbus to withdraw its investment responsibly from AVIC and end the relationship if AVIC refuses.

The regime has conducted airstrikes targeting civilian populations in response to military defeats on multiple fronts.

“Every day, people die due to the regime. While civilians are suffering away from their homes, providing aviation fuel and weapons to the regime means aiding their crimes. I urge an end to support for the regime in response to the sufferings of Myanmar people,” said a human rights activist.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners’ reporting as of Tuesday, at least 6,035 people have died at the hands of the junta since the coup.