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iccr members express solidarity
- Subject: iccr members express solidarity
- From: maung@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 13 Jun 1996 10:54:00
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I C C R
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Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
475 Riverside Dr., Rm 566. New York, NY 10115
ph(212)870-2295 (2l2) 870-2023
ICCR MEMBERS SUPPORT THE STRUGGLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
AND DEMOCRACY IN BURMA
(June 7, 1996)
Burma, ruled by one of the world's most notorious military regimes, is
a major concern of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
(ICCR) members because of its egregious violations of the basic human
rights of its people. During the past four years, ICCR members have
focused on U.S. owned companies doing business in Burma, challenging
them to withdraw from Burma at this time. ICCR members are deeply
concerned about the recent military crackdown on Burmese who planned
to attend the First Party Co ngress of the National League
for Democracy. Over 250 people were arrested including some elected
representatives and members of National League for Democracy, led by
Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace laureate. The latest blow to the
pro-democracy movement in Burma is a ban on Aung San Suu Kyi's weekend
meetings with crowds outside her home.
ICCR members support a campaign for corporate withdrawal from Burma.
The "constructive engagement" policies of U.S. corporations in Burma
are not working. ICCR members believe that US companies doing business
in Burma simply strengthen the illegitimate military regime, the State
Law and Order Restoration Council, and indirectly help SLORC gain the
political legitimacy it desperately seeks. In 1995, ICCR members filed
shareholder resolutions with ARCO, PEPSICO, TEXACO and UNOCAL calling
on these companies to withdraw frnm Burma. On April 22, 1996, PepsiCo
took an important step by announcing plans to divest Irom Burma. Pepsi
sold its direct investment in PepsiCo Bottling Company, Myanmar, but
is still under contract to provide soft drink liquid to the Burmese
owned franchise. The growing list of U.S. companies leaving Burma
includes LEVI STRAUSS, EDDIE BAUER, LIZ CLAIBORNE, AMOCO and COLUMBIA
SPORTSWEAR.
ICCR members support the students struggle for democracy and human
rights in Burma. ICCR members support student demonstrations in New
York City and Washington DC in their protest against recent military
crackdown and their call for the restoration of human rights and
democracy in Burma.
ICCR is a North American association of nearly 275 Protestant, Roman
Catholic and Jewish institutional investors, including denominations,
religious communities, pension funds, dioceses and health care
corporations. ICCR's members utilize religious investments and other
resources to change unjust or harmful corporate policies and
practices, challenging the powerful role corporations play in the use
or misuse of the Earth's human and physical resources. ICCR's members
hold corporations accountable using the power of persuasion backed by
economic pressure from consumers and investors.
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'Inspired by faith, committed to action'
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