CSOs demand suspension of contract signing for Kyaukphyu deep seaport project

CSOs demand suspension of contract signing for Kyaukphyu deep seaport project
Published 18 January 2020

 

Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone Watch Group, a coalition of 18 CSOs, issued a statement on January 16, calling for the suspension of plans to sign the agreement on the implementation of Kyaukphyu Deep Seaport Project in Kyaukpyu Township in Rakhine State. 

In the statement, ongoing armed conflicts in Rakhine State have displaced more than 100,000 people. The government is unable to solve many land disputes in the oil and gas pipeline project which started in 2010. It is found that the government is turning a blind eye to the rights of locals. The Strategic Environment Assessment ( SEA) included in the Kofi Annan Commission’s report, should be made. There is no sufficient information sharing with locals on the special economic zone project and the deep seaport project in Kyaukphyu. There is no coordination on the substitution plan for job losses. The statement covers five points. 

In addition, necessary preparations should be made to legally recognize freehold lands owned by locals and to create job substitutes and sufficient job opportunities when the agreement is signed. 

They also call on the government to re-scrutinize the sale of mangrove forests and lands and to re-implement the local ownership tradition.