"US lobbyist Roger Stone has been condemned for accepting $50,000 a month to rebuild relations between Washington and Myanmar's military-backed government. Myanmar's leaders have been internationally isolated since seizing power in a coup in 2021, and have repeatedly been accused of atrocities that may amount to war crimes. Activists say the military rulers, which recently held widely condemned sham elections, are now trying to reassert themselves abroad."
"According to documents filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act, Stone is described as providing public affairs services to Myanmar's ministry of information. These services are directed at rebuilding relations between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the United States, with a focus on trade, natural resources, and humanitarian relief, the filings say. Stone is listed as a consultant for the firm the DCI Group."
"Justice for Myanmar, a civil society group, accused DCI Group and Stone of profiting from a heavily sanctioned junta that is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity with total impunity. DCI Group and Roger Stone were both contacted for comment. The US has imposed various sanctions against individuals and businesses linked to Myanmar's military over recent years."
"These were announced both in response to the military's alleged genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority, which is now before the International Court of Justice, and in response to the 2021 military coup. The coup, which ousted the government of former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, plunged the country into economic turmoil and a spiralling civil war."
Roger Stone, a longtime Trump ally, was condemned for accepting $50,000 per month to help rebuild relations between Washington and Myanmar’s military-backed government. Myanmar’s leaders have faced international isolation since the 2021 coup and repeated accusations of atrocities that may amount to war crimes. Documents filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act describe Stone providing public affairs services to Myanmar’s ministry of information, focused on restoring relations with the United States, including trade, natural resources, and humanitarian relief. Stone is listed as a consultant for the DCI Group. Justice for Myanmar accused Stone and DCI Group of profiting from a heavily sanctioned junta with impunity. The US has imposed sanctions tied to alleged genocide against the Rohingya and the coup, amid economic turmoil and a spiraling civil war.
#myanmar-coup #us-sanctions #foreign-agents-registration-act #roger-stone #human-rights-and-war-crimes
Read at www.theguardian.com
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