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The objective of this thesis is to study the role of transnational civil society organizations in campaigning and fighting against the U.S.-based oil and gas venture, Unocal Corporation, whose investment in Myanmar had caused widespread and severe human rights violation to the local people. Burma had long held on to xenophobic and close-door economic policy which led to its economic collapse. The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) took power in 1988, and thus decided to introduce a new era of market-oriented economic policy, attracting many businesses to invest in Myanmar, especially foreign oil and gas corporations. Unocal signed a contract to develop the Yadana oil and gas field with the Burmese government. The Yadana joint-venture brought about grave human rights violation to the Burmese and ethnic minorities living along the pipeline. Despite testimonies and eyewitnesses, the company insisted on its innocence. Some countries, such as ASEAN members, insisted on its iron principle of non-intervention. Others like the U.S. and France appeared to lack a strong will to punish their giant corporates. Certain international organizations were faced with some limitations. Still, while the states and international organizations seem to be paralyzed, transnational civil society has become the main actor to bring the fate of the oppressed people in Myanmar to light. The study shows that transnational civil society, especially non-governmental organizations (NGO) concerning Myanmar issue in particular and those in the U.S., play a vital role in putting pressure on Unocal, using various tactics, such as campaigning with consumers, the company's shareholders, and state governments in the U.S., along with suing the company in courts. Finally, Unocal agreed to compensate for the Burmese people who suffer from human rights violation in its Yadana pipeline project.The objective of this thesis is to study the role of transnational civil society organizations in campaigning and fighting against the U.S.-based oil and gas venture, Unocal Corporation, whose investment in Myanmar had caused widespread and severe human rights violation to the local people. Burma had long held on to xenophobic and close-door economic policy which led to its economic collapse. The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) took power in 1988, and thus decided to introduce a new era of market-oriented economic policy, attracting many businesses to invest in Myanmar, especially foreign oil and gas corporations. Unocal signed a contract to develop the Yadana oil and gas field with the Burmese government. The Yadana joint-venture brought about grave human rights violation to the Burmese and ethnic minorities living along the pipeline. Despite testimonies and eyewitnesses, the company insisted on its innocence. Some countries, such as ASEAN members, insisted on its iron principle of non-intervention. Others like the U.S. and France appeared to lack a strong will to punish their giant corporates. Certain international organizations were faced with some limitations. Still, while the states and international organizations seem to be paralyzed, transnational civil society has become the main actor to bring the fate of the oppressed people in Myanmar to light. The study shows that transnational civil society, especially non-governmental organizations (NGO) concerning Myanmar issue in particular and those in the U.S., play a vital role in putting pressure on Unocal, using various tactics, such as campaigning with consumers, the company's shareholders, and state governments in the U.S., along with suing the company in courts. Finally, Unocal agreed to compensate for the Burmese people who suffer from human rights violation in its Yadana pipeline project. |
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