Sean Turnell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sean Turnell
Academic background
Alma materMacquarie University
Academic work
InstitutionsReserve Bank of Australia
Macquarie University, Sydney
Myanmar Development Institute
Main interestsDevelopment economics in Asia
Notable worksFiery Dragons: Banks, Moneylenders and Microfinance in Burma (2009)
Notable ideasSupport for the development of the Myanmar economy

Sean Turnell is an Australian economist and former economic policy advisor to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar.[1][2] He is also an honorary professor of economics at Macquarie University, a former staff member of the Reserve Bank of Australia, and the director of research at the Myanmar Development Institute.[3][4] He is currently under detention in Myanmar charged with breaching the Myanmar Official Secrets act while working in an advisory capacity to Aung San Suu Kyi.

In 2009, the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies published his book on key periods in the history of Myanmar's financial sector, Fiery Dragons: Banks, Moneylenders and Microfinance in Burma.[5]

Early life and education[]

Turnell was raised in Macquarie Fields, a working-class suburb of Sydney.[6] Turnell graduated with a bachelor of economics and a PhD degree from Macquarie University in Sydney.[6]

Professional background[]

He worked for a period as an analyst in the Reserve Bank of Australia before joining the Economics Department at Macquarie University in 1991. He has specialised in research on the Myanmar economy, as well financial sector reform in developing countries, the history of global monetary institutions, and the history of Australian economic research.[7]

Turnell has published in numerous international journals on these and other topics including in the ASEAN Economic Review, Asian-Pacific Economic Literature, Asian Survey, Australian Economic History Review, and The Economic Record.[8] He has also been widely cited in the media and has made many media appearances in Australia and internationally. In Australia, before his detention in Myanmar in February 2021, he frequently took part in seminars and other public discussions about the situation in Myanmar. In August 2020, while addressing the Australian Institute of International Affairs in Sydney, he discussed the evolving political situation in Myanmar and the role of the military in government in the country:

"One of the most memorable queries of the night was whether he believed there was a possibility of the military seizing full control of the government again, which he did not rule out as impossible, although highly undesirable for the country's progress."[9]

Detention in Myanmar[]

On 6 February 2021, in the aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état on 1 February, Turnell was detained in Yangon while working as an advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi. He thus became the first foreign national known to be arrested in relation to the coup.[10] Within a few days, the Australian government called for his immediate release. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said that Turnell

"is a highly regarded adviser and member of the academic community in Australia ... We called in the Myanmar ambassador into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to raise our concerns in relation to this, and we will continue to do that and press strongly for Professor Turnell's release."[11]

The Vice-Chancellor of Macquarie University, Professor S. Bruce Dowton, also expressed deep concern about the detention of Turnell and said that the University had "long supported his work and commitment in advising on the economic aspects of the emergence of the fledgling democracy in Myanmar."[12] Shortly afterwards, on 15 February, the Australian National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) along with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) issued a statement of support for Turnell. The National President of the NTEU, Alison Barnes, said that, "the NTEU calls for his immediate and unconditional release."[13]

Charges and imprisonment[]

On 23 March, possible charges against Turnell were detailed for the first time. During a press conference, a spokesperson for the military government, Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, said that Turnell was being investigated and faced two possible charges in connection with the accusation that he tried to flee the country with secret financial information following the 1 February military takeover. The two offenses, under the national immigration and Official Secrets Act, carried imprisonment terms of five and seven years respectively.[14]

At first, no information was available as to where Turnell was being held. In late April, it was reported that he was being detained in Insein Prison in Yangon where other political activists were being held.[15]

In late May, reports suggested that State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi along with several of her advisers, including Turnell, were being charged under the Official Secrets Act of Myanmar which bans the possession or sharing of state information that is "useful to an enemy."[16]

In early June, Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in a court in Naypyidaw. It was announced that she would face a total of five charges for certain specific offences plus a sixth charge under the Official Secrets Act. The charge under the Official Secrets Act had been filed separately in the Yangon Eastern District Court. At the same time, it was reported that Turnell along several former ministers of planning and finance (Soe Win, Kyaw Win, and Sett Aung) also faced charges for violating the Official Secrets Act.[17] Later, on 16 June, the Australian Government again pressed for Turnell's release when Vice Admiral David Johnston, the Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, spoke with the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar military, Vice Senior General Soe Win by telephone.[18] At the same time, news reports suggested that Turnell had been transferred from jail in Yangon to Naypyitaw. Commenting on the situation, former Australian ambassador to Myanmar Nicholas Coppel said that, "For Sean Turnell and for other political detainees, the chances of a fair trial are close to zero." Coppel added, "The big fish is Aung San Suu Kyi and what they will be wanting to show is that she has betrayed secrets to a foreigner. They'll need Sean for that."[19]

Location of trial[]

In September, it was confirmed that the venue for Turnell's trial had been moved from Yangon to Naypyitaw. In mid-September, one of the lawyers working with Aung San Suu Kyi, Kyi Win, said that the Myanmar Supreme Court had agreed to the move.[20] A week later it was reported that on 23 September, Turnell had appeared in the Dekkhinathiri District Court in Naypyitaw along with three ousted Union ministers: U Kyaw Win (former planning minister), U Soe Win (former finance minister), and U Set Aung (former deputy planning and finance minister). They all appeared in court in full COVID-19 personal protection equipment.[21] Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in the same session attending via video. It was reported that Turnell had been charged with two cases under the Immigration Act. His lawyers filed their power of attorney for the second charge at the hearing. The lawyer representing Aung San Duu Kyi, U Khin Maung Zaw, was reported as saying that the lawyers representing the accused asked that the court allow an in-person meeting with their clients and also applied for an interpreter to translate. The lawyers asked for the in-person meeting because the appearance in the court was the first time that they had seen their clients in person. The Irrawaddy reported that while previously, Turnell and the three former ministers had been held at Insein prison in Yangon, they were believed to be now being held at a jail in Naypyitaw.[22] An additional problem which arose during the court hearing on 23 September was that Australian embassy officials were not permitted to attend the court session. An Australian embassy representative had travelled to Naypyitaw from Yangon but was denied access to the court.[23] A spokesperson for the Australian government in Canberra said that, "We have registered our serious concerns with the Myanmar ambassador in Canberra, and senior representatives in Naypyidaw. The Australian government has made it clear to Myanmar authorities our expectation that we receive timely advice on Professor Turnell's case, including court hearings. We have requested access to all future hearings."[24]

Proceedings in the trial[]

In September, hearings in the trial of Turnell began to be held on a weekly basis (usually Thursdays) in the Dekkhina District Court in Naypyitaw presided over by Judge Ye Lwin[25] The first few hearings were brief, proceeding for around 30 minutes or so. In early October it was reported that a court in Naypyitaw had ruled that it would not allow a translator to attend during court hearings. Turnell's lawyer, Ye Lin Aung, said the ruling forbidding a translator was issued at a pre-trial hearing in a special court in Nayptitaw. Ye Lin Aung said that the prosecution, citing security reasons, had asked that no translator be allowed and that the judge had agreed. "It is difficult for us without a translator for him at the court," Ye Lin Aung said. "I am going to discuss it with officials from the Australian Embassy." He added that Turnell appeared to be in good health and requested that he be sent some snacks and other articles.[26]

In mid-October, Turnell's lawyer, Ye Lin Aung, noted that he had not yet had a chance to meet with Turnell for a private discussion and submitted a request to the judge to allow him to meet with Turnell alone. At the same time, the judge indicated that consideration was being given to the provision of a government-approved interpreter during the hearings.[27]

Personal life[]

Turnell is married to Ha Vu, a Vietnamese Australian economics lecturer.[28] His nephew is Blake James Turnell, known as Chillinit, a rapper from Sydney.[29]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Major Reforms Around the Corner, Says Key Economic Adviser to Suu Kyi". The Irrawaddy. 21 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Why West is reluctant to invest in Myanmar". Mizzima. 17 July 2018.
  3. ^ "In Person | Suu Kyi Economic Adviser: National Interest Must Come First When Deciding Large Chinese Investments in Myanmar". The Irrawaddy. 20 January 2020.
  4. ^ Agencies, Guardian reporter in Yangon and The Guardian (6 February 2021). "Myanmar: Australian adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi, Sean Turnell, 'being detained'". the Guardian.
  5. ^ Turnell, Sean (2009). Fiery dragons : banks, moneylenders and microfinance in Burma. Nordic Institute of Asian Studies. Copenhagen: NIAS Press. ISBN 978-87-7694-602-9. OCLC 753966248.
  6. ^ a b Harcourt, Tim. "Fate of detained Australian economist Sean Turnell may be tied to Aung Sung Suu Kyi". The Conversation. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  7. ^ 'Sean Turnell', Macquarie University, Sydney, (accessed 20 June 2012) and 'Sean Turnell', Macquarie University, Sydney, (accessed 8 June 2021).
  8. ^ For a list of Turnell's publication, see 'Sean Turnell', Macquarie University, Sydney, (accessed 8 June 2021).
  9. ^ Ludmilla Nunell, 'Myanmar: the Struggle for Reform, the China Embrace', Sydney, 20 August 2019.
  10. ^ "Myanmar detains Australian adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi; first known arrest of foreign national since coup". CNA. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  11. ^ Angie Raphael and Finn McHugh, Australian government calls for immediate release of academic detained in Myanmar after coup', The Australian, 8 February 2021.
  12. ^ S. Bruce Dowton, 'Professor Sean Turnell detailed in Myanmar', This week, Macquarie University, 8 February 2021.
  13. ^ 'ACTU / NTEU Media Release: Free Sean Turnell', 15 February 2021.
  14. ^ 'Australian Economic Adviser Held in Myanmar Faces Two Charges', The Irrawaddy, 24 March 2021.
  15. ^ 'Suu Kyi adviser Sean Turnell being held at Insein Prison, released activist says', Myanmar Now, 26 April 2021.
  16. ^ 'Supreme court intervenes in official secrets case against Suu Kyi', Myanmar Now, 20 May 2021.
  17. ^ 'Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Trial to be Completed within Six Months', The Irrawaddy, 7 June 2021.
  18. ^ Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 'Call with Myanmar Deputy Commander-in-Chief', press release, 16 June 2021.
  19. ^ Chris Barrett, 'Australian economist has 'close to zero' chance of a fair trial in Myanmar', The Age, 19 June 2021.
  20. ^ 'Court to change venue for trial of Sean Turnell', Mizzima, 15 September 2021.
  21. ^ 'Daw Aung Suu Kyi's Australian Adviser Appears in Naypyidaw Court', The Irrawaddy, 23 September 2021.
  22. ^ Ibid.
  23. ^ 'Myanmar Junta Still Denies Australian Adviser's Access to Lawyer', The Irrawaddy, 30 September 2012.
  24. ^ Mazoe Ford, 'Australian officials kept out of Myanmar court as Australian Sean Turnell prepares to go on trial', ABC News, 28 September 2021.
  25. ^ Some details of the judicial career of Judge Ye Lwin are in Nyan Hlaing Lin, 'As Suu Kyi stands trial, her judge--and Myanmar's judiciary--come under scrutiny', Myanmar Now, 7 November 2021.
  26. ^ 'Myanmar court bars translator at secrets trial of Australian, AP News, 8 October 2021.
  27. ^ 'Sean Turnell prohibited from meeting privately with lawyer', Myanmar Now, 15 October 2021.
  28. ^ Barrett, Chris (2021-03-01). "Australian detained in Myanmar coup finally speaks with wife in Sydney". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  29. ^ "Sydney rapper ChillinIT asks fans to help free uncle Sean Turnell". Daily Telegraph. 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
Retrieved from ""