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An investigation by Justice For Myanmar and Info Birmanie has uncovered damning evidence of Aviation Industry Corporation of China's (AVIC) continued supply of aircraft and weapons to Myanmar's military junta.
The Myanmar military is using AVIC-supplied aircraft to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity against the people of Myanmar with total impunity.
The report “#Airbusted: How Airbus' close partner AVIC is supplying arms to the Myanmar military and what Airbus should do about it” details how AVIC is supplying fighter jets, combat aircraft, and military transport aircraft to the Myanmar military, which are being used in indiscriminate bombings of civilians.
The report includes new details about the recent purchase of FTC 2000G combat aircraft and various missiles.
AVIC also supports the Myanmar Air Force by continuing to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Chinese fixed-wing aircraft in use by the junta.
French aerospace giant Airbus is a major investor in AVIC's Hong Kong-listed holding company, AviChina Industry and Technology Co. Ltd., and a strategic partner of AVIC in China.
Despite AVIC's clear role in arming Myanmar's brutal junta, Airbus has not only maintained but increased its investment in and collaboration with AVIC-controlled companies. This continues even as other investors have withdrawn due to AviChina’s links to transfers of military aircraft and weapons to the Myanmar junta.
The investigation highlights a stark contradiction between the public statements and private actions of Airbus's key shareholders – the governments of Spain, Germany, and France.
While these governments have publicly condemned the Myanmar military's crimes and committed to stopping arms flows, they appear to be, at least, silent regarding Airbus's continued collaboration with AVIC behind the scenes.
Justice For Myanmar and Info Birmanie demand that Airbus immediately use its leverage to pressure AVIC to cease all collaboration with the Myanmar junta. If AVIC fails to comply, Airbus must responsibly divest from all AVIC-controlled entities.
The governments of Spain, Germany, and France must align their actions with their public commitments by ensuring Airbus acts to cut its links to war crimes in Myanmar.
The people of Myanmar deserve more than empty words. It's time for concrete action to stop the flow of arms and support to the illegal military junta.
Yadanar Maung, spokesperson for Justice For Myanmar, says:
"Airbus has been turning a blind eye to AVIC's dirty deals with the brutal Myanmar military for too long.
"With ongoing credible documentation and reporting at the UN of the human rights crisis in Myanmar, Airbus must have known that its key business partner AVIC is supplying aircraft, weapons and ongoing technical maintenance services to the junta in Myanmar.
"Airbus and its states shareholders must end the flow of arms from AVIC to the genocidal Myanmar military, or ensure Airbus ends it business with AVIC for good.
"How can we take the condemnations of Spain, Germany, and France seriously, if they have investments that sustain the junta in Myanmar?"
Johanna Chardonnieras, coordinator for Info Birmanie, says:
"Multiple tools have been put in place in France, at European and international levels to guarantee corporate responsibility. Our investigation has established serious doubts about Airbus' ability to comply with these tools in the case of the Myanmar conflict.
"Airbus is not an ordinary company, both because operates in the defence sector and because of the identity of its fixed shareholders: governments. The French, Spanish and German governments have a responsibility and a duty to act when Airbus’ partner and investee is linked in war crimes.
"The French, Spanish and German governments, alongside the European Union, have condemned the atrocities committed in Myanmar. Today they have the opportunity to show their capacity for action, in line with their statements, values and sanctions."
More information
Read the #Airbusted report in English and French here
