The National Unity Government has issued a statement 20 January warning of the dangers posed by the proliferation of cyber crime locations in Myanmar.
The following is their statement:
The statement of Federal democratic forces on Cyber Crime in Myanmar: A Growing Crisis.
Human trafficking, abuse, torture, murder, forced labor, and cyber scams have significantly increased in Myanmar over the past four years as transnational organized criminal organizations exploit the instability created by the ongoing civil war. These illicit activities, including drug production and trafficking, have plagued Myanmar for decades, fueled by a pervasive disregard for the rule of law, a lack of transparency, accountability, and the entrenched corruption of successive military regimes. It has long been our assumption, and it is becoming increasingly evident to the international community that the Myanmar military, along with its Border Guard Forces, militias and its allies, is directly involved in providing security for and facilitating aforementioned scam operations, if not actively partnering with the criminals involved.
The NUG (National Unity Government), KNPP (Karenni National Progressive Party), KNU (Karen National Union), CNF (Chin National Front), ABSDF (All Burma Student Democratic Front), NMSP – AD (New Mon State Party – Anti-Military Dictatorship) and WLB (Women League for Burma) and other organisations in Myanmar firmly oppose all forms of human exploitation and is committed to combating the illegal military council that seized power in 2021. Our goal is to restore the rule of law and constitutional governance. In areas where the Myanmar military has retreated, we are working to establish coalitions of self-governing territories that can implement administrative structures to provide essential services—such as healthcare, education, and a commitment to the rule of law.
We are determined to prevent Myanmar from becoming the epicenter of cyber and other crimes that not only exacerbate local conflicts but also impact communities both regionally and globally.
The suffering of countless victims within Myanmar and beyond is a direct consequence of this situation, posing a grave threat to our national security and undermining regional stability. Unfortunately, the military’s preoccupation with its own survival renders it incapable of or unwilling to address these critical issues.
In contrast to the military, we are increasingly concerned about the future of Myanmar and, especially, the prospects for youth within the region and innocent people globally. We urgently call on Myanmar’s immediate neighbors—namely, China, India, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand, to establish alternative channels of communication and information-sharing with us to effectively combat these transnational crimes.
Our revolutionary allied federal democratic forces who have controlled vast territories in Myanmar are ready to cooperate with international efforts, whether through bilateral engagements, within ASEAN, or through United Nations agencies. Together, we can work towards the restoration of justice and governance while combatting the escalating crisis of cyber-crime and human exploitation.
