In reaction to the military's ruthless crackdown on opponents to its authority, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada have placed fresh sanctions on Myanmar, focusing on key military personnel, including the recently appointed chief of the air force, as well as individuals associated to the arms trade.
Three accused Myanmar arms dealers and the corporations associated to them, as well as two enterprises managed by sanctioned arms dealer Tay Zaw, are the targets of US sanctions.The US also placed sanctions on the 66th Light Infantry Division, an army unit accused of burning to death 30 civilians in their automobiles on Christmas Eve last year in southeastern Kayah state.
In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "We have taken these actions today in response to the regime's rising aggression, to convey our strong support for the people of Burma, and to promote accountability in connection with the coup and the violence inflicted by the regime." "Until the military dictatorship and those who support it end the bloodshed and restore Burma's democratic path, we will continue to impose consequences on them."The United Kingdom initiated action against arms dealers and companies, with a particular focus on those that source and supply weapons to the air force, which has bombed civilian settlements, displacing tens of thousands of people.
Air force head General Htun Aung, who is also a director of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL), a major military company, is among those identified.In a statement, UK Minister for Asia Amanda Milling said, "The Myanmar military has showed no signs of halting its horrific campaign of violence against the people of Myanmar, who continue to fight for democracy." "These penalties are aimed at people who aid in the supply of weaponry to the military, which aids in the perpetration of these violations across the country. The UK will always defend the right to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, working with like-minded countries to hold this oppressive, ruthless regime to account."
Meanwhile, Canada has added four people and two businesses on its blacklist, including Htun Aung.The generals have undertaken a ruthless assault against people opposed to its authority, targeting both peaceful demonstrators and civilians, since seizing control from Myanmar's democratic government on February 1, 2021, and detaining civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which has been monitoring the situation, more than 1,700 people have been killed as a result of the crackdown, and many have been forced to flee their homes due to aircraft bombing.
"Stopping Burmese military airstrikes is the most urgent need, and it is extremely encouraging to see the British government begin the process of targeting air force suppliers," said Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, in a statement.The UN accused the military of war crimes, including torture and indiscriminate deaths of civilians, in its first comprehensive assessment of the situation earlier this month.
According to a report released on Thursday by Fortify Rights and the Schell Center, the army and police were told to fire at civilians on purpose. It was suggested that 61 senior military officials be investigated for alleged "crimes against humanity."
The additional measures came after the US declared the 2017 crackdown on the largely Muslim Rohingya, which resulted in the migration of 750,000 people to Bangladesh, a genocide.Campaigners for the Rohingya people applauded the new restrictions and encouraged governments to tighten them even more.
In an emailed statement, Tun Khin, president of Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, stated, "Cutting sources of cash and arms to the military is crucial, thus these new sanctions are very welcome." "Sanctioning the military and its allies is the proper plan for the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, but the sanctions are coming too slowly." They must speed up sanctions and broaden their scope to cover gas revenue and aviation fuel."
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