1/27/2024 – Our friends at the International Campaign for the Rohingya are calling on international jewelry retailers to stop buying Burmese gems that fund the Myanmar military. Myanmar’s military and its police have imprisoned the country’s elected leaders, killed civilians, and arrested thousands of people on spurious charges since seizing power in a coup on February 1, 2021. The coup was the latest in a decades-long series of power grabs by the Myanmar military, which has consolidated control over the country’s gemstone mines.
From the International Campaign for the Rohingya’s petition:
“We are writing to express our concern with Bulgari’s use of Burmese gems in its collection in light of the Burmese military deep involvement in the extraction and trade of gems in Myanmar.
“For decades, Myanmar’s military has committed numerous war crimes against ethnic minority communities as it has consolidated its control over Burma’s gemstone mines. and now, with the Myanmar military’s February 2021 total seizure of power, the army is poised to take over completely the country’s billion dollar gem industry.
“Myanmar produces more than 90% of the world’s rubies and jade, and these stones command the highest prices on the international market. The military dominates the gemstone industry in Myanmar and it profits when high-end jewelry retailers use Burmese gems in their collections.
“In recognition of the risk to the company’s brand image, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Harry Winston have adopted policies of not purchasing or using Burmese gems.
“When will Bulgari follow suit and ensure that, in the future, its pieces are completely free of gems from Myanmar (Burma).”
SIGN THE PETITION HERE.
