HRW urges Japan to cancel financial grant to Myanmar police

Human Rights Watch has urged Japan to immediately cancel plans to donate money to purchase vehicles and communications equipment for the Myanmar police.

In the statement HRW said that the Myanmar police has a well-documented record of serious human rights violations, including against the Rohingya population in the country.

On July 2, 2020, Japan’s Foreign Ministry announced a grant of 100 million yen (US$930,000) to the Myanmar police for the purpose of purchasing vehicles and wireless equipment for “protecting dignitaries.” The Foreign Ministry claimed the donations would “strengthen the Myanmar police’s ability to carry out public security measures,” create “social stability,” and contribute to Myanmar's “socio-economic development.”

“It’s inexplicable that the Japanese government would try to curry favor with Myanmar’s abusive security apparatus by providing financial assistance to the police,” said Brad Adams, Asia director of the organization.“Instead of supporting Myanmar’s police, Japan should be helping the victims of rights abuses and ethnic cleansing by working with other donor governments to hold the security forces accountable,” he added.

Myanmar’s police acted as a pillar of repression during Myanmar’s 50 years of military rule, arbitrarily arresting dissidents and student activists, engaging in widespread torture, and creating a climate of fear in the country, Human Rights Watch said.

HRW also accused Myanmar police Police of taking part in widespread rape, including gang rape, of Rohingya women and girls, as well as killing children while their mothers were being attacked.

"The Japanese government should realize that giving shiny new equipment to Myanmar's police won't make them less abusive," Adams said.

"By conferring undeserved legitimacy on the Myanmar police, they are signalling to Myanmar's people that their suffering is of little concern."

The HRW concluded, Japan should suspend all aid to the Myanmar police until systematic reforms are carried out and the police are put under civilian control. Japan should also halt aid to all military-controlled entities and ministries, including the Home Ministry.