Rights groups are demanding Chevron Corp. halt payments to Myanmar's state-owned oil and gas company.
The rights coalition said Chevron must do its part to prevent money going to the country's military, which took control of the country is a coup in February.
The group sent a letter to Chevron - signed by Global Witness, Publish What You Pay and several rights groups from Myanmar. The group said money the company was paying to Myanmar Oil & Gas Enterprises could be misappropriated and used to fund military operations under the "illegitimate regime."
"Companies should make revenue payments into protected accounts until such time as the legitimate and democratically elected government is returned," the letter said.
Funds sent to the country's state-owned enterprises are currently under the control of the military. Myanmar's military junta seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government last month.
The letter said that Chevron had made payments of more than $600 million to Myanmar Oil &Gas Enterprises between 2015 and 2019. This includes payments for the company's participating interest in the Yadana gas fields.
Chevron issued an official response Wednesday, stating that it had disclosed all payment that was made to the Myanmar-owned company. The company defended its actions and said that it does not make payments directly to the military.
"Direct payments to MOGE are for taxes under applicable laws and were disclosed via EITI before Myanmar's suspension. MOGE'S entitlements from Yadana are limited to distributions of natural gas. Chevron does not participate in MOGE's onward distribution of the gas it receives and does not make distributions directly to the Myanmar military," Chevron said.
Chevron said that it condemns the reported human rights abuses happening in Myanmar. The company added that it hopes that a peaceful resolution will soon be found.
Apart from Chevron, rights groups have also called on Total to suspend its payments to Myanmar. The groups have also asked the French government to impose sanctions on Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprises until power is rightfully restored to the elected government.
