[Press Release] Local and international revolutionary and civil society organizations urge the responsible governments of the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Spain to call on Airbus to use its leverage to stop the Chinese state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s (AVIC) continued transfers of aircraft and associated equipment to the criminal Myanmar military junta

February 5, 2025

No. 3/ 2025

On February 5, 2025, a total of 361 local and international organizations sent an open letter to the Government of the Netherlands, Airbus SE’s domicile, calling for scrutiny of Airbus’ business with AVIC, which continues to transfer aircraft and associated equipment to the criminal Myanmar military junta.

On January 21, 2025, a total of 343 local and international organizations sent an open letter to the governments of France, Germany and Spain, shareholders of Airbus SE, calling for Airbus to use its leverage to stop AVIC’s continued transfers of aircraft and associated equipment to the criminal Myanmar military junta, or divest.

During the four years following the February 2021 attempted coup in Myanmar, the military junta has continued to commit war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other gross human rights abuses against the people of Myanmar with impunity. This campaign of terror is only possible through the junta’s continued access to arms, including combat aircraft, as well as related technical maintenance, repair, and overhaul assistance.

A key supplier of military aircraft and equipment, and provider of maintenance services to the junta, is the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

Airbus is legally headquartered in the Netherlands, with the French, German, and Spanish governments as shareholders of Airbus SE. It is not only a key investor and partner of AVIC, but also collaborates with them in both technology and business operations. AVIC’s subsidiary, AviChina, and Airbus jointly produce K-8 trainer aircraft and Y-12 multipurpose aircraft. These aircraft are frequently used by the Myanmar junta to bomb civilian areas. Both aircraft, commissioned by the Myanmar military, continue to be frequently documented in use for airstrikes on civilians.

Myanmar is under an arms embargo imposed by the European Union, and Airbus’s technical and financial support to AVIC, which is a major contributor to the military junta’s war crimes, not only violates EU sanctions but also indirectly contributes to war crimes. With Airbus owning shares in AviChina, the governments of the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Spain could be in violation of the arms embargo, which their governments are responsible for implementing.

We specifically ask to the governments of the Netherlands, France, Germany and Spain:

1) Ensure that Airbus acts in accordance with its human rights responsibilities by using its leverage to stop AVIC’s business with the Myanmar military.

2) Ensure that Airbus takes steps to divest from AviChina and end its business relationship with AVIC if transfers of AVIC aircraft, associated equipment and support to Myanmar continue.

Mulan, spokesperson for Blood Money Campaign, says:

“The Chinese state-owned AVIC has not yet directly carried out aerial bombings in Myanmar. However, AVIC directly sells and supports aircraft, arms, and technologies to the junta to continue airstrikes on civilians. Like AVIC’s support for the junta, European aerospace company Airbus SE is also behind the scenes.

Airbus is a key investor and partner of AVIC. Airbus provides technologies and financial support to AVIC and, by owning shares in AviChina, AVIC subsidiaries. This contributes to war crimes and makes Airbus complicit in committing these crimes.

Additionally, Airbus is also violating the designation of the European arms embargo on Myanmar from the EU. Airbus must use its leverage to stop AVIC’s continued transfers of aircraft and associated equipment to the criminal Myanmar military junta,or divest.”

Open Letters in English can be downloaded by the following drive links

1. Open Letter to the government of the Netherlands: 5 February 2025

https://drive.google.com/file/d/109pAvqAN5vWVdU5Xt1Qagic_JniuBis4/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawLgXHJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpVFVqNWNudkJRZ04zSE5vAR7l21mbinBk9RvjjFQ5ZMF9wRWq-jioMGX2YKXXoycEdZqj1ue7dTeF98B0fQ_aem_N8GBrU2n-83ywnfBLojUXw

2. Open Letter to the governments of France, Germany, Spain: 21 January 2025

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WbkQFIM5O4cGPF9BCZFCI7l7VMEEUC5l/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawLgXHVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpVFVqNWNudkJRZ04zSE5vAR6Qaes-x_RYzn3yCa9hTIUkmcPqbDqu2K3R6q1tygH7JvqwzQd3FZaNxRc3RQ_aem_8eEbVho5JEGfx4U983NXLQ

3. Open Letter to Airbus CEO: 10 December 2024

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nEmW9omPIfbgbKNkO8W79rGsfamFZx_u/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawLgXHdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpVFVqNWNudkJRZ04zSE5vAR4EOHyqfzQ2ECElCZv4eUCOQFQJQJOiI7OYjzukrqUi9kfNQGI7W3nA9KFvaQ_aem_6S2J5jrMZf5k6BwmhHIvzw

To download the pdf file for the Press Release: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10ZIwNqbD0t0lbWLLjOcbQ4yR1J7hrY48/view?usp=drive_link