‘Blood on Your Hands’: EU Defends Training for Myanmar/Burma Police Force
EUROPE, 16 Mar 2015
Laignee Barron – Myanmar Times
11 Mar 2015 – The European Union last night defended itself against allegations of complicity in police brutality following a violent crackdown on students in Bago Region, saying it was not responsible for “decisions on the ground”.
A police officer beats a student protester in Letpadan, Myanmar, March 10, 2015.
It also called for a formal investigation into the violence at Letpadan, which the government says resulted in the arrest of 127 people.
The EU has been training Myanmar’s police in crowd management and riot control since 2013, reportedly following a request from opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as well as the government. The course included the provision of riot control gear.
The EU said that turning the batons on students was not part of the training.
“The fundamental purpose of the training is to increase the respect of human rights, stress the importance of negotiation and – only as a last resort – consider the use of proportional force,” the statement said.
Letpadan, Myanmar, March 10, 2015.
While condemning the actions of police, the EU defended its training program. “This was needed, and as events show, this need still remains,” the statement said. “Whilst training can be given, the EU cannot make decisions on the ground.”
Anger at the EU delegation due to its Myanmar Police Force training programs began on March 6, a day after a standoff between students and police ended in violent clashes at Letpadan.
In response, activists set up camp near the EU delegation’s Yangon headquarters bearing placards condemning its cooperation with the police.
The EU responded with a statement on its Facebook page, but this only provoked further criticism in the comments section, with some posting pictures of students being attacked.
“Shame on you, EU, being fall into the trap and lies of so called reformed government in Myanmar,” said one Facebook user, Lin Zaw.
Thurein Linn wrote, “Hey EU, the blood of students and people that shed today is totally on your hands!”
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