Telenor and Myanmar Civil Society Organisations reach preliminary agreement

We are pleased to share that Telenor and 474 civil society organizations in Myanmar, represented by SOMO and supported by PeaceNexus, have arrived at a preliminary memorandum of understanding. Both parties share a deep concern for the people of Myanmar and the deterioration of respect for human rights in the country after the military takeover in February 2021.

In this context, the parties have started taking steps to implement the agreements made in the MOU.

One such step, to enhance the understanding of risks to users related to their digital footprints, the parties will jointly select an independent researcher to conduct an ICT Eco-System Risk Study. Furthermore, Telenor is sharing expertise and experience about risks to digital rights and freedoms in Myanmar under the military junta. In addition, Telenor has already commenced an internal review process and has invited the complainants to provide input.

The parties have been engaged in a mediation process following a complaint filed against Telenor to the Norwegian National Contact Point (NCP) concerning risk-based due diligence, stakeholder dialogue and disclosure in Telenor’s disengagement from Myanmar.

More information, including the MoU and a joint statement can be found here.

PeaceNexus looks forward to support the complainants in the mediation process and in implementing the agreed actions.