Burma Campaign UK today described as ‘farcical’ Kirin’s assertion that after a year-long investigation regarding two joint ventures with the Burmese military, it cannot establish whether the military uses profits for military purposes.

Kirin is in two joint ventures with the Burmese military, Myanmar Brewery and Mandalay Brewery. Kirin has been placed on the ‘Dirty List’ of international companies doing business with the military and it is facing campaigns by human rights organisations in Burma and around the world.

Last year, facing growing pressure over its partnership with the Burmese military, Kirin hired Deloitte to look into how the military uses profits from the two breweries. At the time it was widely seen as a delaying tactic.

Kirin made a laughable statement today on the outcome of that investigation, still trying to claim it isn’t sure if the Burmese military uses its money for military purposes.

Kirin also boasts of having a human rights policy, despite having a business partner facing charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice and being investigated for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.

Kirin has now said it will make another statement in four months. It is unclear why more than two years after facing pressure to end its joint ventures with the military, and one year after its so-called investigation into how the Burmese military spends its money, it now needs another four months for some unspecified purpose.

“Kirin are making themselves look ridiculous trying to claim they can’t find out if the Burmese military uses its money for military purposes,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “Kirin’s business partner rapes children and faces charges of genocide, and yet Kirin are still delaying the inevitable day when it has to stop doing business with the military.”

The Kirin statement is available here.

Kirin’s entry on the ‘Dirty List is available here.

Complimentary ‘Boycott Kirin’ T-Shirts have been sent to Kirin executives in Europe and Japan. They are available for purchase here.

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