Data collected by Amnesty International reveals shipments of jet fuel still arriving in Myanmar. For instance, investigation shows that a military air strike killed 12 civilians and injured 26 as historic monastery in Magway, Central Myanmar, was attacked.
In defiance of international calls to cut off resources to Myanmar’s military, Amnesty International has uncovered fresh evidence of aviation fuel deliveries to the country, facilitating continued airstrikes on civilian targets. This revelation comes amid escalating tensions and humanitarian crises within Myanmar.
Amnesty International’s investigation, spanning January to June 2024, reveals multiple instances of aviation fuel being imported into Myanmar via intricate supply chains. Notably, the Chinese-owned HUITONG78 tanker was involved in transporting fuel from Vietnam to Myanmar, with additional roles played by entities like Singapore-based Sahara Energy International Pte. Ltd. and the Chinese state-owned CNOOC Trading (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
“The Myanmar military persists in using the same channels exposed earlier by Amnesty International, underscoring both their impunity and the complicity of involved states,” remarked Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
This development comes at a time when military airstrikes in Myanmar have surged dramatically, as reported by the United Nations Special Rapporteur. Instances such as the May 9th attack on a century-old monastery in Magway Region vividly illustrate the devastating impact on civilian lives and cultural heritage.
Survivors recounted harrowing details of the attack, describing how a fighter jet first bombed the monastery, followed by gunfire targeting fleeing civilians. Amnesty International’s documentation of the incident includes corroborative photos and eyewitness testimonies, pointing to potential war crimes committed by Myanmar’s military.
Despite international appeals for a cessation of fuel shipments, companies involved in the fuel trade appear undeterred, continuing operations that facilitate Myanmar’s military actions. Efforts to track these shipments reveal complex transactions involving international entities like the Dutch company Royal Vopak and Chinese corporations.
In response to these findings, human rights advocates urge immediate action to sever these supply chains, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and justice in Myanmar’s ongoing crisis.
