Amnesty: Fuel suppliers aiding Myanmar attacks on civilians

Military air strikes killed as many as 80 people, including singers and musicians, attending an anniversary celebration last month of the Kachin ethnic minority's main political organisation

Amnesty International is urging suppliers of aviation fuel to Myanmar to suspend such shipments to prevent the military from using them to conduct air attacks on civilian targets as the number of bombings has increased.

In a report released on Thursday, the London-based rights group documented the diversion of aviation fuel that is supposed to be used only for civilian travel and transport to the military.

It also called on refiners, shipping companies, and others in the aviation fuel supply chain to stop shipments until they can ensure they won't be diverted to military use.

The report, carried out in collaboration with the underground activist organisation Justice for Myanmar, followed news of air strikes that have killed dozens of people not engaged in fighting the military-controlled government following the army's February 2021 ouster of Myanmar's elected government.

“These air strikes have devastated families, terrorised civilians, killed and maimed victims. But if the planes can't fuel up, they can't fly out and wreak havoc. Today we are calling on suppliers, shipping agents, vessel owners, and maritime insurers to withdraw from a supply chain that is benefiting the Myanmar Air Force,” Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard said in a prepared statement.

“There can be no justification for participating in the supply of aviation fuel to a military that has a flagrant contempt for human rights and has been repeatedly accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other grave human rights violations.”

Military air strikes killed as many as 80 people, including singers and musicians, attending an anniversary celebration last month of the Kachin ethnic minority's main political organisation.