Justice For Myanmar (JFM) has revealed that US-based McKeon Group and DCI Group are conducting lobbying activities for the Myanmar military. The Washington DC-based McKeon Group signed a contract worth $360,000 with the military junta on August 1st to work on improving relations with the US government. Additionally, DCI Group has entered into a $3 million contract with the junta focusing on trade and natural resources matters.
In their statement, JFM strongly condemned these two companies for representing the illegal military junta that continues to commit crimes against humanity and war crimes with complete impunity. The military junta recently changed its administrative body’s name from State Administration Council (SAC) to State Security and Peace Council (SSPC), which JFM points out is an attempt to evade international sanctions. The organization emphasizes that no amount of lobbying can wash away the blood on the military’s hands.
JFM warns that these lobbying firms should disclose their sources of income and due diligence processes, noting that any payments from the military junta could potentially be proceeds of money laundering and stolen assets from the Myanmar people. The organization urges Canada, the European Union, UK, and United States to immediately include the SSPC in their sanctions lists to prevent the junta’s attempts to evade sanctions, seek false political legitimacy, and raise funds for their international crimes. JFM stresses that these sanctions loopholes must be closed to maintain pressure on the military regime that continues to commit atrocities against its own people.
