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March 29, 2021, Myanmar: Justice For Myanmar has uncovered evidence of significant links between German truck manufacturer MAN, majority owned by Volkswagen, and vehicle sales to the Myanmar military. MAN owns 25% of Sinotruk’s Hong Kong-listed subsidiary, and MAN executives hold four seats on the board of Sinotruk Hong Kong. Sinotruk also has access to MAN technology and the two companies have a joint brand. The Myanmar military have a large fleet of Sinotruk vehicles which appears to play a key role in their logistics. Since the brutal and illegitimate Feb. 1, 2021 military coup, Sinotruk vehicles have been used to attack peaceful protesters, terrorise the population and transport individuals arbitrarily detained.
Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung says: “It is shocking that one of Germany’s best known corporations is profiting from the Myanmar military’s atrocities, committed with the aid of Sinotruk vehicles. The German government, MAN and their shareholder Volkswagen have a clear responsibility to prevent human rights violations related to their businesses and we now urge them to take immediate steps to ensure their associated business, Sinotruk, cuts all ties with the Myanmar military. We call on Germany to play a constructive role and expedite EU sanctions on Myanmar. Impose immediate targeted sanctions against the Myanmar military, its businesses and associates, and support a global arms embargo.”
The Myanmar military has also acquired heavy duty MILTRUK vehicles, which appears to be a brand under licence of Sinotruk. On March 27, 2021, Myanmar’s bloodiest day since the coup, which saw at least 114 individuals murdered by junta forces, the junta showed off a fleet of MILTRUKs mounted with missiles during a military parade. Justice For Myanmar could not confirm reports that Sinotruk military vehicles may be assembled in Myanmar.
In response to questions from Süddeutsche Zeitung, a MAN spokesperson replied that they had not known about Sinotruk’s business in Myanmar and has asked Sinotruk for details.
Yadanar Maung continues: “MAN occupy four seats on the Sinotruk Hong Kong board and have a major say in the business. We are shocked that MAN appear ignorant of the business of a company partly under their management. The Myanmar military’s atrocity crimes are well-documented and should have raised red flags. We call on MAN to now act promptly to end all Sinotruk business with the Myanmar military and conduct a supply chain investigation to ensure no MAN technology benefits the Myanmar military.”
Note to editors
See Justice For Myanmar’s feature on Sinotruk here: https://www.justiceformyanmar.org/stories/german-linked-trucks-feature-in-brutal-myanmar-crackdown
See Süddeutsche Zeitung investigation here: https://projekte.sueddeutsche.de/artikel/wirtschaft/myanmar-was-man-mit-den-trucks-des-militaers-zu-tun-hat-e980887/
Justice For Myanmar, a group of covert activists campaigning for justice and accountability for the people of Myanmar, is calling for an end to military business and for federal democracy and a sustainable peace.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Yadanar Maung
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