Myanmar: EITI Board Members Rap Govt over Mine Death

Feb 13, 2015 | Thomas Kean, Myanmar Times
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Civil society members of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s International Board have slammed the government over the death of a protester at the Letpadaung copper mine in December, as well as subsequent charges filed against civil society leaders.

Daw Khin Win was killed on December 22 when police opened fire on residents protesting against the fencing of land confiscated for an expansion of the China-backed mine. A number of civil society activists have since been arrested for allegedly staging illegal protests and defaming the state.

The 10 civil society members of the International Board said urgent action was needed to “ensure that the opportunity for effective reform is not undermined by the limitations on civil society expression and operation displayed in the Letpadaung case”.