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US, UK slap new sanctions on Myanmar after genocide designation
Issued on: 25/03/2022 - 18:02Modified: 25/03/2022 - 18:00This photo taken on February 13, 2022, shows protesters participating in a demonstration against the Myanmar military coup in Ayadaw Township, in Monywa District - AFP
2 min
Washington (AFP) – The United States and Britain on Friday announced new sanctions against the Myanmar military that are intended to coincide with the anniversary of a bloody crackdown on protests following last year's coup d'etat.
The new measures came days after Washington said it has concluded that Myanmar's military committed genocide against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority.
"Brutality and oppression have become trademarks of the Burmese military regime's rule," US Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.
"Treasury is committed to holding accountable those who are responsible for the ongoing violence and repression."
Washington's sanctions target two military commanders, an infantry division as well as three businessmen and four businesses. London targeted the new air force chief and a businessman who acts as the honorary consul of Belarus, as well as a businessman and firm that the United States sanctioned, among others.
"The Myanmar military has shown no signs of stopping its brutal campaign of violence against the people of Myanmar, who continue in their fight for democracy," Britain's Minister for Asia Amanda Milling said.
"These sanctions target those who are instrumental in supplying the military with weapons that facilitate these abuses across the country."
The measures come as Western nations increasingly punish the military both for the February 2021 coup that saw Aung San Suu Kyi ousted and the violence in 2016 and 2017 against the Rohingya, which Washington earlier this week declared was an attempt to "destroy" the Muslim minority.
They were announced around the one-year anniversary of the military killing of scores of protesters amid protests on Myanmar's annual Armed Forces Day.
The new US sanctions apply to Brigadier-General Ko Ko Oo, and Major-General Zaw Hein as well as the 66th Light Infantry Division, which Treasury said has been accused of carrying out a December 2021 massacre in which civilians "were captured, tortured and killed, including some whom members of the military reportedly burned alive."
Three individuals and two companies were also sanctioned for providing arms to the military, while two firms were targeted for assisting other businesses that had been sanctioned previously.
Britain sanctioned Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Air Force Htun Aung and a company that supports the air force, along with Belarusian Honorary Consul Aung Moe Myint and his company.
They also joined Washington in sanctioning a businessman and his company that the countries said trafficked arms.
© 2022 AFP
US, UK slap new sanctions on Myanmar after genocide designation
The United States and Britain on Friday announced new sanctions against the Myanmar military that are intended to coincide with the anniversary of a bloody crackdown on protests following last year's…
www.france24.com
BROUK Welcomes New Sanctions On Myanmar Military By US, UK And Canada
FormatNews and Press Release SourcePosted25 Mar 2022 Originally published25 Mar 2022 OriginView original
Media release from Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK
The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) today welcomed a fresh round of sanctions against Myanmar military leaders, military-affiliated cronies and businesses, as well as a military unit, by the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. The announcement came ahead of Myanmar’s Armed Forces Day, on March 27.
The United States announced sanctions against five individuals and five entities connected to the military regime, including the 66th Light Infantry Division, one of the junta’s notorious shock troops, while the United Kingdom sanctioned two individuals and three companies “responsible for supplying the Myanmar military regime with weapons and equipment”, and also designated the military’s new Head of Air Force. Canada sanctioned four individuals and two business entities.
“Cutting sources of revenue and arms to the military is essential, so these new sanctions are very welcome,” said Tun Khin, President of BROUK. “The USA, UK and Canada have the right strategy in sanctioning the military and its allies but the sanctions are coming too slowly. They need to increase the pace of sanctions and expand the scope to include gas revenue and aviation fuel.”
The sanctions announcements come days after the United States designated the military’s campaign of violence against the Rohingya a genocide, an announcement made at the US Holocaust Museum in Washington DC.
“Targeted economic sanctions are just one tool, and we need to see other tools used such as support for international justice mechanisms like referring Burma to the International Criminal Court, and joining or financing the genocide case at the International Court of Justice,” said Tun Khin. “The United States’ genocide declaration this week was welcome recognition for the suffering us Rohingya have endured, but it must amount to more than words, and be turned into concrete actions that ultimately remove this junta from power.”
Those who had their assets frozen by the US, UK and Canada include Aung Moe Myint, director of Dynasty International Company, Aung Hlaing Oo, managing director of Myanmar Chemical Machinery Co Ltd, as well as General Htun Aung, the newly-appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Air Force.
“The military have not been able to establish control since the attempted coup and are vulnerable to pressure if it can be applied fast enough. We need to cut arms, cut revenue, deny legitimacy, ensure accountability and increase humanitarian and political support to the people of Burma,” said Tun Khin. “The USA, UK and Canada are moving in the right direction but crawling instead of racing.”
For more Information contact Tun Khin on +44 7888714866
BROUK Welcomes New Sanctions On Myanmar Military By US, UK And Canada - Myanmar
News and Press Release in English on Myanmar about Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding; published on 25 Mar 2022 by BROUK
