Our Work

Myanmar

Rohingya refugees crossing from Myanmar into Bangladesh. © Adam Dean/Panos

Myanmar began a democratic transition following nearly half a century of military rule with the formation of a semi-civilian government in 2011. Ethnic minorities, such as the Rohingya in Arakan (Rakhine) state and other minorities in Shan and Kachin states have suffered horrific abuses by the Myanmar military amounting to international crimes. Any democratic transition and reforms have since been overturned by the unlawful and violent military coup that took place on 1 February 2021.

Our work on Myanmar has focused on working with the Rohingya community in Australia, activist group in Myanmar, Justice For Myanmar, and where possible collaborating with a wide spectrum of civil society groups in Australia, on legal research, advocacy and action to find avenues to support justice and accountability in Myanmar.

An area of growing international concern has revolved around the economic and business interests of the Myanmar military. In collaboration with the Rohingya community in Australia, Justice For Myanmar, and others, including from the climate justice movement, we are working on highlighting the role of foreign business ties with Myanmar’s military companies.