Amnesty International hit out at 'odd' Leeds United post-season Myanmar tour

Human rights organisation Amnesty International have described Leeds United's decision to visit Myanmar on a post-season tour in May as "odd".
Elland Road.Elland Road.
Elland Road.

The Whites will embark on two post-season friendlies in south-east Asia, formerly known as Burma, and will play against the national side and a select XI from the country's main domestic competition, the Myanmar National League.

Amnesty International though have described the decision as "odd" in a statement on their website, with spokesperson Kate Allen calling on the club to voice their concerns during the trip if the visit does go ahead as planned.

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“It certainly seems like an odd choice of country to choose to tour, " the statement read. “The last year has seen the human rights situation in Myanmar deteriorate dramatically.

“Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled crimes against humanity in Rakhine State to neighbouring Bangladesh; those who remain continue to live under a system amounting to apartheid.

“The Myanmar authorities have continued the brutal crackdown despite a global outcry. Far too often sporting events have been used as a cheap PR tool to ‘sportswash’ the stain of a country’s human rights record.

“We’re not going to tell Leeds United where they should and shouldn’t visit, but if the tour does go ahead, the club should use its leverage to call for an end to the crackdown and raise with the Burmese authorities the plight of the hundreds of thousands of families who have been brutalised and forced to flee their homes.”

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The British Rohingya Community also took to social media to criticise the club for their choice of venue posting: "Please note a football club from Leeds, UK has decided to play football in Myanmar.

Elland Road.Elland Road.
Elland Road.

"This is absolutely disgraceful. Leeds United FC is going to play football on the grounds soaked in the blood of innocent Rohingya children,women & older people."

Leeds United have defended the decision in a statement, a spokesman said: "Leeds United are not supporting any regime or government.

"We have worked with the Football League in Myanmar as well as the AYA Bank in making the arrangements for the games. We firmly believe that football brings people together and we aim to engage millions of young football supporters and thousands of players who share a love of the game."

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