Myanmar’s armed forces say Western Union decision will have little effect

10 January 2020
Myanmar’s armed forces say Western Union decision will have little effect
An image showing the company logo of Western Union money transfer. Photo: EPA

Myanmar’s armed forces on Thursday said a decision by money transfer company Western Union to cut ties to a military-owned bank over army alleged abuses in Rakhine State violates the rights of military families, according to RFA report.

U.S.-based Western Union terminated its agent contract with Myawaddy Bank, becoming the latest foreign firm to sever connections to a military-operated company following calls by human rights groups to do so over alleged genocide and war crimes committed against Myanmar civilians.

Myanmar defence forces spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun played down the effect that the decision would have on Myanmar, whose citizens abroad use the service to send remittances to family members at home. The service is also used by humanitarian aid groups to transfer funds to their local operations, the report said.