Office of the Prime Minister Postboks 8001 Dep. 0030 Oslo Oslo, 31.01.2022 Dear Prime Minister, We write to you to express our grave concern regarding the announced sale of Telenor Myanmar to the Lebanese M1 Group. The Norwegian government are the majority owner of Telenor Group ASA – the parent company of Telenor Myanmar. Prior to Telenor receiving a telecom license in Myanmar, you held the position Foreign Minister in Norway. Together with Telenor’s CEO you travelled to Myanmar to promote Telenor and Norwegian industry, and the ties between the two countries became even closer as Telenor received a telecom license shortly after. As representatives of civil society, we know that the majority of human rights defenders, activists and members of civil society in Myanmar had chosen Telenor for its prior commitments to human rights principles and transparency, and for security reasons. For eight years, these subscribers have generated data held by Telenor. On behalf of civil society in Myanmar, we are deeply worried about what that sale could mean for the people of Myanmar, especially those who have been customers of Telenor and now risk persecution if the sale of Telenor Myanmar is allowed to proceed. As the majority shareholder in Telenor, we expect the Norwegian State to set an example in respecting human rights and to conduct its business in a responsible manner. Metadata are sensitive data that can be used in warfare to wind up networks, make arrests and potentially target people for assault, detention, ill-treatment, and execution for simply fighting for freedom and basic human rights. As you are aware, the illegitimate regime behind the February 2021 coup in Myanmar have proven that they are not afraid to use violence to protect their power, and they are responsible for the killings of more than 1000 people and arresting more than 8000 in the last 12 months. It is therefore highly disturbing that the proposed sale is likely to go through as a result of a collaboration between the M1 Group and the Shwe Byain Phyu group, a local conglomerate with ties to the junta. In our opinion, the sale of Telenor Myanmar to the M1 Group is incompatible with both Norway’s understanding of human rights and stand in contrast to Norway’s stance on the issue under its current membership in the UN Security Council. The Norwegian government has strongly condemned the military coup that took place on February 1st. 2021 and has not recognized the junta as the rightful government of the country. As late as November 8th. of last year, the Norwegian minister of foreign affairs reiterated that the military junta should respect the will of the people and restore civilian rights. Furthermore, Norway has both pushed for and endorsed statements from the UN Security Council on Myanmar, calling for a democratic transition and to pursue constructive dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar. The UN does not recognize the violent regime behind the February coup in Myanmar. In fact, the Forum for Utvikling og Miljø Storgata 11, 0155 Oslo Org. nr.: 971 274 646 forumfor@forumfor.no www.forumfor.no