Former British ambassador to Myanmar arrested in country – as new sanctions announced
The former British ambassador to Myanmar has been detained in the Southeast Asian country, its government has confirmed, as the UK announces new sanctions.Vicky Bowman and her husband, Htein Lin, a Burmese artist and former political prisoner, were arrested for violations of the country’s Immigration act, according to a statement from Myanmar’s ministry of information.
The statement appeared to indicate the couple had violated the act because they had moved from the place they had permission to live in.It said: “U Htein Lin (Artist) and his wife Bowman Victoria Jane… who reside at the Pan Hlaing Housing in Sanchaung Township, Yangon Region, are accused of violating Sections 13(1) and 13(5) of the 1947 Myanmar Immigration Act (current laws).”… her visa is valid from October 21, 2021, to October 22, 2022. To reside at Pan Hlaing Housing… she must register under Form (a) part 3 of the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1948.
“However, from May 4, 2021, to August 10, 2022, U Htein Lin and his wife did not reside at the registered residence; instead, they moved and remained at U Htein Lin’s home in Kalaw Township, Shan State.”It suggested Mr Lin “encouraged his wife to break the law”, and that “legal action is now being taken against him”.
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Sky News understands the couple will face a court hearing on 6 September.Myanmar’s immigration act is drafted in a way that can allow the authorities an excuse for holding foreign visitors for violating the terms of their visas.
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A Foreign Office spokesperson, mirroring a statement from the UK’s Myanmar embassy, said: “We are concerned by the arrest of a British woman in Myanmar. We are in contact with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance.”Ms Bowman runs the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB), which is headquartered in Yangon, according to its website.Myanmar has been suffering a period of political and economic chaos since the military overthrew an elected government in early 2021.The news emerged shortly before an announcement about fresh UK sanctions targeting the Myanmar regime.The sanctions come on the day when hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees are marking the fifth anniversary of their exodus from Myanmar to Bangladesh, after, in late 2017, Myanmar’s military launched a crackdown following a rebel attack.
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Starvation and death on the beaches of Myanmar
The UK said it would:• Take fresh action against the Myanmar Armed Forces• Impose new sanctions against military-linked companies to target the military’s access to arms and revenue• And confirm its intention to intervene in The Gambia v Myanmar International Court of Justice Case to support international justice effortsIn November 2019, Gambia – with the backing of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – took a case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, alleging Myanmar’s atrocities against the ethnic Rohingya in Rakhine State constituted a breach of the UN convention on genocide. The case is ongoing.British minister for Asia Amanda Milling said in a statement: “We continue to stand in solidarity with the Rohingya people and condemn the Myanmar Armed Forces’ horrific campaign of ethnic cleansing.”Who is Vicky Bowman?Ms Bowman was the British ambassador to Myanmar between 2002 and 2006 and has more than three decades’ experience in the country.A profile on the website of the Institute for Human Rights and Business says she has been the director of Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB) since July 2013.Before that, it says, she worked at Rio Tinto, held a series of senior roles in the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and was also the second secretary in the UK’s Myanmar embassy from 1990-1993.
The former British ambassador to Myanmar has been detained in the Southeast Asian country, its government has confirmed, as the UK announces new sanctions.
Vicky Bowman and her husband, Htein Lin, a Burmese artist and former political prisoner, were arrested for violations of the country’s Immigration act, according to a statement from Myanmar’s ministry of information.
The statement appeared to indicate the couple had violated the act because they had moved from the place they had permission to live in.
It said: “U Htein Lin (Artist) and his wife Bowman Victoria Jane… who reside at the Pan Hlaing Housing in Sanchaung Township, Yangon Region, are accused of violating Sections 13(1) and 13(5) of the 1947 Myanmar Immigration Act (current laws).
“… her visa is valid from October 21, 2021, to October 22, 2022. To reside at Pan Hlaing Housing… she must register under Form (a) part 3 of the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1948.
“However, from May 4, 2021, to August 10, 2022, U Htein Lin and his wife did not reside at the registered residence; instead, they moved and remained at U Htein Lin’s home in Kalaw Township, Shan State.”
It suggested Mr Lin “encouraged his wife to break the law”, and that “legal action is now being taken against him”.
Sky News understands the couple will face a court hearing on 6 September.
Myanmar’s immigration act is drafted in a way that can allow the authorities an excuse for holding foreign visitors for violating the terms of their visas.
A Foreign Office spokesperson, mirroring a statement from the UK’s Myanmar embassy, said: “We are concerned by the arrest of a British woman in Myanmar. We are in contact with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance.”
Ms Bowman runs the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB), which is headquartered in Yangon, according to its website.
Myanmar has been suffering a period of political and economic chaos since the military overthrew an elected government in early 2021.
The news emerged shortly before an announcement about fresh UK sanctions targeting the Myanmar regime.
The sanctions come on the day when hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees are marking the fifth anniversary of their exodus from Myanmar to Bangladesh, after, in late 2017, Myanmar’s military launched a crackdown following a rebel attack.
The UK said it would:
• Take fresh action against the Myanmar Armed Forces
• Impose new sanctions against military-linked companies to target the military’s access to arms and revenue
• And confirm its intention to intervene in The Gambia v Myanmar International Court of Justice Case to support international justice efforts
In November 2019, Gambia – with the backing of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – took a case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, alleging Myanmar’s atrocities against the ethnic Rohingya in Rakhine State constituted a breach of the UN convention on genocide. The case is ongoing.
British minister for Asia Amanda Milling said in a statement: “We continue to stand in solidarity with the Rohingya people and condemn the Myanmar Armed Forces’ horrific campaign of ethnic cleansing.”
Who is Vicky Bowman?
Ms Bowman was the British ambassador to Myanmar between 2002 and 2006 and has more than three decades’ experience in the country.
A profile on the website of the Institute for Human Rights and Business says she has been the director of Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB) since July 2013.
Before that, it says, she worked at Rio Tinto, held a series of senior roles in the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and was also the second secretary in the UK’s Myanmar embassy from 1990-1993.
