Crowd protesting against the military coup in Myanmar. Photo by Pyae Sone Htun on Unsplash.
The UK, US, EU and Canada have issued 421 sanctions on 181 individuals and 178 entities in response to the atrocity crimes in Rakhine state and since the coup in Myanmar exactly two years ago. Civil society organisations anticipate further sanctions announcements from these countries to mark the anniversary on February 1st of the Myanmar military coup.
Chris Sidoti, human rights expert and founder of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar said, “I expect to see continued violence in Myanmar this year, with the democratic movement continuing to make gains and the military continuing to retreat. If the violence is to be halted, other countries need to strengthen their support for the democratic movement. The Australian Government has been ‘considering sanctions’ for far too long. It has to follow the lead of other liberal democracies and impose political and economic sanctions on the military leaders and their business enterprises.”
Marc Purcell Chief Executive Officer, Australian Council for International Development said, “Myanmar civil society has been calling for sanctions for two long years. Australia must take a leadership role in the region and sanction human rights abusers and the business network that sustains them.”
Since 1 February 2021 over 2,800 people have been murdered by the military and over 17,400 unlawfully arrested.
Right now, there are 128 cases of rape and gang rape by military personnel since the coup being investigated by the National Unity Government Ministry of Women Youths and Childrens Affairs.
Top military leaders and military divisions have been sanctioned for serious human rights abuses such as unlawful killings, sexual violence and the destruction of civilian properties. Other individuals targeted include arms dealers, immediate family of sanctioned individuals, and members of the military-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC).
While Australia sanctioned generals Aung Kyaw Zaw, Maung Maung Soe, Than Oo, Aung Aung and Khin Maung Soe in 2018 for their hand in the atrocities and serious human rights violations committed against the Rohingya population in Rakhine State, no further sanctions have been issued.
Commander in Chief and coup instigator Min Aung Hlaing remains unsanctioned.
International sanctions have targeted the junta’s vast business interests, with military conglomerates Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) and Myanma Economic Holdings LTD (MEHL) and their subsidiaries being subject to asset freezes. State-owned enterprises in the lucrative extractive and natural resource sectors have been sanctioned as their accounts are currently under junta control. This includes the with Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, Myanma Gems Enterprise (MGE), Myanma Timber Enterprise (MTE), and Myanmar Pearl Enterprise (MPE).
Marc Purcell Chief Executive Officer, Australian Council for International Development said, “Myanmar civil society has been calling for sanctions for two long years. Australia must take a leadership role in the region and sanction human rights abusers and the business network that sustains them.”
Myanmar Campaign Network Campaign Manager Tasneem Roc said, “The junta’s proposed elections in 2023 are a mockery of the democratic process. The people of Myanmar have already voted and the will of the people has been repressed. Australia must sanction not only human rights abusers but those who undermine democracy and rule of law.”
Clancy Moore, CEO of Transparency International Australia said, “Australian linked mining companies and investors are still doing business with the corrupt and violent junta. The lack of sanctions by the Australian government on state-owned enterprises – Myanma Mining no. 1 and No. 2 – which are controlled by the junta, is helping to enrich Myanmar’s generals.”
The Myanmar Campaign Network (MCN) is an Australian national coalition formed following the 2021 coup in Myanmar, comprising human rights organisations, international aid NGOs, Myanmar diaspora organisations, trade unions and faith-based organisations. This project is under the auspices of Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA.