Civil society organizations and political forces have strongly condemned the collaboration between the Russian government and the military council regarding the Dawei Special Economic Zone project in Tanintharyi Region. A total of 11 organizations, including civil society groups and political forces, have joined in this condemnation. The Dawei Special Economic Zone project includes various industrial developments such as coal-fired power plants, oil refineries, petrochemical plants, and numerous other polluting factories.
The project has a history of human rights violations since previous administrations, including violations of indigenous peoples’ rights, forced relocations, and unfair compensation practices, with many grievances remaining unresolved to this day. Civil society organizations have stated that they absolutely cannot accept collaboration with the current military council, which continues to commit crimes against humanity and war crimes. They emphasize that during this period of lawlessness, the military’s oppression has led to severe economic hardships for the people, and they fear this project will only increase forced displacement and human rights violations.
The organizations have expressed serious concerns about the significant negative impacts on both the natural and social environment of the Dawei region. They assert that the development of the Dawei region should be determined by local people themselves, and only a government elected under a federal democratic system should have the authority to make decisions about such projects. The environmental and geographical conditions of Dawei make it unsuitable for polluting industrial projects, and any development decisions should align with local interests and democratic principles.
On February 23, agreements regarding the project were signed between military council minister Dr. Kan Zaw and Russian government officials, with further discussions taking place during Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Russia from March 3 to 9. Civil society organizations have warned that collaboration with the illegitimate military council is not only illegal but will also inevitably threaten the human rights, environment, cultural heritage, and livelihoods of local residents. They emphasize that such industrial developments would cause irreversible damage to the region’s ecosystem and social fabric, and decisions about Dawei’s development should rest with its people through legitimate democratic processes.
