Lian Bawi Thang
Country Program Coordinator
Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO)

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Investments, including development projects must take into account ethnic/indigenous communities and their rights to land, resources, and territory.
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It is a good opportunity for EU investers to exemplify best practices in doing business in Myanmar

 allow the enforcement of the protection provisions through access of investors to investment dispute settlement
 support sustainable development by encouraging responsible investment and promoting environmental protection and core labor standards;
 promote transparency

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Indian financed project called the Kaladan Multi Modal
Transport Transit Project in Southern Chin State.
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Nickel Mining Project in Northern Chin State with Chinese company.

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Security
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Local people are not well informed
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No proper impact assessments
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Labor discrimination
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Land confiscation
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No consultation
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No ‘consent’ from local people

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What form of security?
Militarization directly linked to HRVs in Myanmar
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Equal treatment between local and foreign staff
Prioritize job opportunity for local residents
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Environmental, Social and Health assessments
EIA Procedure
Impact assessment should be conducted by a third party.

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Reach out to all potential affected communities
Use both Burmese and local dialects.
Fully disclose both negative and positive impacts
Share updated info

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To respect the traditional customary practice of indigenous groups and their collective rights
Compensation should be dealt by the company directly
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To consult affected community meaningfully
Consultation should be done at least twice; before and after the project is started.
It should not be organized by the government
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None of the current law mentions getting meaningful consent from local community
No mention in National Race Law, and EIA procedure,

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Use UNDRIP framework, and Practice Free Prior and Informed
Consent (FPIC) Principle
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Conduct All relevant Assessments
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Prioritize local employment opportunity & observe international labor standards
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Avoid human rights abuses
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Take lessons from negative consequences of various forms of investments that have fueled conflict in the country

Lian Bawi Thang
Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) www.chro.ca