In November, New Belgium Brewing announced their sale to Kirin’s fully-owned subsidiary, Lion Little World Beverages, subject to an employee vote. Inclusive Development International (IDI) joined the Karen Organization of America and Karen Community of North Carolina in expressing deep concern that if the sale was approved, New Belgium would be joining a company that includes a subsidiary jointly owned by a Burmese military conglomerate.
The Burmese Military stands accused of genocide. UN International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar “found ‘genocidal acts’ in Burma’s 2017 ‘clearance operations’ that killed thousands and caused more than 740,000 Rohingya to flee for their lives to Bangladesh.” It noted the military’s long history of brutality against other ethnic minorities. In October, the UN Fact-Finding Mission warned of “a continued threat of genocide.” These crimes are enabled by the Burmese military’s business interests, including their lucrative partnership with Kirin. As a subsidiary of Kirin, New Belgium would become part of a key financial network empowering the Burmese army to continue committing genocide and crimes against humanity.
Legal mechanisms to bring the perpetrators to justice began in the International Court of Justice on December 10. International accountability may include the investigation of financial supporters of the Burmese army, including Kirin. Kirin’s subsidiary with the Burmese army, Myanmar Brewery, is already subject to sanctions in Canada, which could carry business risks for Kirin and New Belgium Brewing.
The organizations called on New Belgium employees to oppose Kirin’s continuing business partnership with the Burmese military, and published a letter urging New Belgium employee shareholders to be a “force for good” by adding their voice to support action for justice and human rights, and rejecting Kirin’s takeover of New Belgium Brewing. The organizations supported calls for all businesses to divest from the Burmese military and for sanctions against military businesses, including Kirin’s Myanmar Brewery.