Watchdog group says Chevron complicit in Myanmar

By Michael Erman

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A human rights watchdog group on Tuesday accused Chevron Corp (CVX.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) of complicity in human rights abuses along a natural gas pipeline in Myanmar in which it holds a stake and said Chevron could be sued.

EarthRights International claimed in a report issued on Tuesday that Myanmar's army has in recent years committed serious abuses including rape and murder while providing security for the pipeline that moves gas from the Yadana gas field, located offshore in the Andaman Sea.

The group also said the army has forced Burmese citizens to build sentry posts, perform security duties along the pipeline and maintain roads.

"The people of Burma are making the pipeline go through their own physical energy, their blood, their sweat and their tears," Katie Redford, U.S. office director of EarthRights, said in an interview.

"That's what 'Human Energy' means in Burma," Redford said, referring to Chevron's current advertising campaign, which aims to improve the company's image on environmental and social issues.

Myanmar was called Burma until 1989, and opposition groups and some countries have not recognized the name change.

The country has been under military control since a 1962 coup d'etat.

The army held elections in 1990, but did not hand over power when it was defeated by opposition party the National League for Democracy.