Justice for Myanmar launches mirror website after government blocks original

03 Sep 2020

Khin Thraphy Oo | DMG
3 September, Sittwe

The group Justice for Myanmar set up a mirror website on September 2, one day after the military watchdog’s original site was blocked by the Myanmar government.

In a statement, organisation spokesperson Ma Yadana Maung said: “We will not bow down to the Myanmar government’s attempt to cover-up the abuse of power of the Myanmar military cartel. We are committed to circumvent state censorship to ensure the people of Myanmar can access our site and make up their own minds on the evidence we publish.”

On its website, Justice for Myanmar describes its mission as that of human rights advocate, as well as military and business watchdog.

“One report at a time, Justice for Myanmar and its allies are collecting evidence and exposing the vast business network funding brutal oppression in Myanmar,” it states. “The campaign aims to pressure individual businesses and investors from countries around the world to divest from Myanmar and deprive the military of profits they receive from every day people like you.”

A September 1 statement from Justice for Myanmar noted that the ban comes after the Myanmar government previously blocked the websites of news outlets including Development Media Group, Narinjara and Karen Information Center, which have strong focuses on covering human rights issues in Arakan and Karen states.

“Our reports are based on evidence. I would like to invite the government to respond to our reports with evidence. However, the civilian government turns to oppression instead of discussions, debates and accountability, and is trying to hide the mistakes made by the army,” said Ma Yadana Maung.

Local media in Myanmar frequently cover news based on reports that appear on the Justice for Myanmar website. Supporters of the group note that its research has shed light on the often opaque realm of military-business relations in Myanmar.