The former British ambassador to Myanmar, Vicky Bowman, and her husband has been detained by the military of Myanmar.
She has been suspected of violating visa regulations, and her husband has been accused of aiding her to remain in Myanmar, both of which could result in up to five years in prison.
From 2002 to 2006, Ms. Bowman served as ambassador to Myanmar. She is married to Htein Lin, a former political prisoner, and Burmese artist.
She is the director of the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business in Yangon.
The couple has been transported to the city’s Insein prison, and their trial is slated for September 6.
According to the British embassy, she is receiving consular support.
The Myanmar Corporate Responsibility Board promotes itself as “an initiative to promote responsible corporate practices throughout Myanmar.” It collaborates with the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB), whose mission is to “integrate respect for human rights into business as usual.”
The military dictatorship of Myanmar has been accused of gross breaches of human rights.
As internal conflict persists, the generals extended emergency rule until 2023 at the beginning of this month.
After deposing Aung Sung Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government, the junta seized power in Myanmar last year.
