EarthRights International (ERI) found serious flaws relating to land rights, resettlement, and environmental protection in the planning and development of the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Yangon, Myanmar. These flaws and their impacts on displaced communities and the surrounding environment are documented in two new briefers publicly released today.

The first briefer, titled “Analysis of the Affected Communities’ Rights and Remedies Under Myanmar Law and JICA’s Guidelines,” explains how the confiscation of land and resettlement of residents to make way for the Thilawa SEZ are in violation of both Myanmar laws and the Guidelines of one of the key investors, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which incorporates international standards and best practices. The second briefer, titled “Analysis of EIA for Phase I of Thilawa SEZ,” exposes how the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted for the first phase of the Thilawa SEZ is inadequate and does not comply with JICA’s Guidelines or international best practice.

...“We have analyzed the relevant laws and researched how the land was confiscated from the people, and have found that Myanmar laws have not been adequately followed,” 

 [See ERI's Analysis of the Affected Communities’ Rights and Remedies Under Myanmar Law and JICA’s Guidelines and Analysis of EIA for Phase I of Thilawa SEZ]