News
Chinese Oil Company Linked to Human Rights Abuses in Burma (Myanmar)
Norwegian Pension Fund • Thursday 08. December 2011
- Norway’s decision to continue investing in PetroChina was based on its belief that CNPC and PetroChina should be regarded as separate companies. EarthRights International disagrees, says Paul Donowitz in a press release from EarthRights International.
Activists condemn Norway’s refusal to heed Council of of Ethics’ warning on pipeline investments in
Norwegian Pension Fund • Thursday 08. December 2011
- It is shameful that the Norwegian government is endorsing human rights abusers in Burma through the investments of its pension fund, is Wong Aung quoted in a press release from the Shwe Gas Movement.
Profit More Important Than Ethics for Norwegian Ministry of Finance
Norwegian Pension Fund • Thursday 08. December 2011
The Norwegian Burma Committee (NBC) finds it very disappointing that the Norwegian Ministry of Finance has rejected the Council of Ethics’ recommendation to exclude PetroChina from the Norwegian Pension Fund’s portfolio due to human rights abuses in Burma. The Ministry puts more weight on profit than ethics in this case. Norwegian Burma Committee.
Norway-Burma Relations: Is Hydroelectric Power the Way to Go?
Norway, hydropower • Friday 04. November 2011
Norwegian Development Minister Erik Solheim has suggested that Norway could invest in dam-building and hydropower production when international sanctions against Burma are removed. Solheim needs to tread very carefully. The hydropower sector in Burma is fraught with pitfalls, writes Camilla Buzzi. Irrawaddy.
The Oslo-Burma Connection
Norwegian Burma policy • Monday 31. October 2011
Norway’s minister of international development Erik Solheim must make clear that Norway stands firmly behind the Burmese people and will demand that the Burmese leadership demonstrate an irreversible commitment to attaining democracy and human rights for all the people of Burma, says an editorial in Irrawaddy.
Espen Barth Eide: ‘Norway is optimistic’
Norway, democracy • Monday 24. October 2011
Norway’s deputy foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, gives his opinions on the pace and quality of change underway in Burma, as well as the extent to which Norway’s policy towards the government, the opposition and exiled groups will change over the coming years. Democratic Voice of Burma.
Demand immediate end to rape as weapon of war in Kachin State
Press release • Wednesday 22. June 2011
Kachin women demand immediate end to Burmese regime's use of rape as a weapon of war in northern Burma offensive. Press release.
Numerous natural disasters
Natural disaster • Sunday 05. June 2011
Myanmar had barely started to recover after Cyclone Nargis in 2008, before several strong storms and earthquakes hit the country early 2011. Now the monsoon begins. Norwegian Refugee Council.
Norway re-thinks Burma policies
Norway policy • Wednesday 18. May 2011
Norway has started talking with some new leaders in Burma, but state secretary Espen Barth Eide insists the Norwegian government won’t let itself be fooled by them. He thinks there’s been “real change” within the Burmese dictatorship and that it’s worthwhile to have a dialogue. Views and News from Norway.
NLD Statement Regarding Tourism in Burma
Tourism • Tuesday 10. May 2011
Norway ups Burma oil investments
CSR • Thursday 24. March 2011
Figures released last week by the Norwegian government show that investments in oil and gas companies operating in Burma stand at close to $US5 billion, despite heavy opposition from rights groups. Democratic Voice of Burma.
The Norwegian Pension Fund increases investments in Burma
CSR • Wednesday 23. March 2011
The Norwegian Pension Fund has increased its investments in the oil and gas sector in Burma by USD $ 1 billion. At the same time there are reports on new incidents of murder and torture related to this sector. – Double morale, says Oyvind Habrekke, Chair of the Parliament Burma Network in Norway. Press release.
Must set clear benchmarks
Democracy • Monday 21. February 2011
Members of the European Burma Network remain deeply concerned about the lack of any improvement in the situation of human rights in Burma, and the lack of any progress towards genuine democratisation. Euro Burma Network.
Norway’s Seadrill under fire for Burma project
Trade • Tuesday 15. February 2011
The Norwegian offshore drilling firm Seadrill has come under renewed scrutiny from activists for conducting offshore drilling activities in Burma. Mizzima.
The Norwegian Pension Fund should pull out of companies in Burma
Investments • Sunday 23. January 2011
Norwegian authorities call on Norwegian companies not to invest in Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar), while Norway is complicit in grave human rights abuses through the state owned Pension Fund’s investments in controversial companies in the Burmese oil and gas sector, says the Norwegian Burma Committee. Human Rights House Oslo.
The Norwegian Pension Fund should pull out of companies in Burma
Investments • Wednesday 15. December 2010
Norwegian authorities call on Norwegian companies to not invest in Burma, while Norway is complicit in grave human rights abuses through the state owned Pension Fund’s investments in controversial companies in the Burmese oil and gas sector Read more.
Now We Must All Stand With The Lady
Monday 15. November 2010
Today, the real work begins. The international community must not naively think that democracy will now come to Burma. Suu Kyi has been released from her illegal detentions before. And the junta only tightened its grip on power, writes Jared Genser, international counsel to Aung San Suu Kyi. The Times (pdf).
Next step for UN: Commission of Inquiry
UN and Burma • Tuesday 17. August 2010
Based on the General Assembly's 19 Resolutions on Burma the logical step forward for the GA is to establish a Commission of Inquiry into war crimes, it is argued in the briefing "The United Nations General Assembly & Burma" by Burma Campaign UK.
Elections will not change Burma, dialogue is still the answer
Elections 2010 • Friday 13. August 2010
The briefing "Burma's transition to civilian dictatorship" explains why the junta's election 7 November will not lead to political solutions for Burma and why the international community must work harder for a tri-partite dialogue between the main actors. Burma Campaign UK.
ILO Steps into Political Minefield to Help Revive Trade Unions
Worker's rights • Tuesday 13. July 2010
- Nearly 50 years after a Burmese military regime crushed what was once a vibrant trade union movement in the South-east Asian country, hints of a revival are beginning to emerge. IPS.
Erik Solheim: ‘Junta is wary of Norway’
Norway and Burma • Monday 05. July 2010
Norway’s minister for environment and international development says that engagement with the ruling junta must be stepped up, as well as increasing dialogue with all political actors in the country, in an interview with Democratic Voice of Burma.
Reply to question about Norway’s policy on Burma
Norway's Burma policy • Friday 25. June 2010
Peter Gitmark from the Conservative Party has questioned the Norwegian Minister of Foregin Affairs about the MFA's view on Aung San Suu Kyi's future role and groups that try to undermine her. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway.
- Sanctions against Burma must be more effective
Sanctions • Thursday 24. June 2010
More trade with Burma will not help the people with the current regime, says democracy activist Khin Ohmar. – The only thing that can make the situation better in Burma is that the sanctions become more effective, says Ohmar to Ethical Trade Initiative Norway (ETI-Norway). Ethical Trade Initiative Norway.
Is she still relevant?
Aung San Suu Kyi • Saturday 19. June 2010
Aung San Suu Kyi spends her 65th birthday – as so many other birthdays – in house arrest. Have the generals succeeded in depriving her of the enormous power she once had over Burma’s 50 million people? Aftenposten, Norway.
The true cost of Chevron
Gas and oil • Wednesday 19. May 2010
What Chevron’s Annual Report does not tell its shareholders is the true cost paid for Chevron’s Way: lives lost, wars fought, communities destroyed, environments decimated, livelihoods ruined, and political voices silenced. Earth Rights International.
How Norway's Engagement with Burma Could Make a Difference
Thursday 06. May 2010
Earlier this month, State Secretary Gry Larsen traveled to Burma. It is critical that any country engaging with the regime press for national reconciliation and a restoration of democracy. To do so, we must not only reach out to the junta but also to the ethnic groups and opposition groups, writes Jared Genser in VG, Norway (doc).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Asks Seadrill to Stay Away from Burma
Oil and gas • Wednesday 05. May 2010
“Neither Seadrill nor other Norwegian companies should contribute to financing a military dictatorship,” the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Norwatch.
- A critical point in Burma's history
Valget 2010 • Thursday 29. April 2010
The upcoming election in Burma was discussed at a seminar in Oslo on the 26th of April. State Secretary Gry Larsen, just returned from Burma, was among several interesting guests in the panel. The Oslo Center.
Burma at a crossroads
MFA-visit to Burma • Tuesday 06. April 2010
Today marks the start of my visit to Burma – a country that is at once one of Asia’s richest, one of its poorest, and one of its most controversial, writes State Secretary Gry Larsen in Dagsavisen.
Karen Communities Worldwide Call for Action to Stop Attacks on Civilians
Eastern Burma • Tuesday 09. March 2010
Karen communities in 10 countries are joining forces for a global day of action on Tuesday 9th March, calling on the international community to take action to stop new attacks by the Burmese Army against Karen civilians. Since mid January more than 2,000 civilians have been forced to flee new attacks. Press release.
Burma: The film which scares the regime
Media • Saturday 06. March 2010
This weekend, Burma VJ might win an Oscar. But don't tell the regime in Rangoon. They rather give the audience TV soaps, which are making the Burmese fans of anything from South Korea, writes Nyein San for Ny Tid.
Burma urged to end repression of ethnic minorities before elections
Etniske grupper • Saturday 20. February 2010
Myanmar's government must halt its repression of ethnic minority activists before forthcoming national and local elections, Amnesty International warned in a major report released on 16 February 2010. Human Rights House Foundation.
