EU imposes further sanctions targeting military and individuals

The Council of the EU announced its decision on 19 April to sanction a further ten individuals and two military-controlled companies over the 1 February military coup and ensuing repression in Myanmar/Burma.

The individuals targeted by sanctions are all responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Myanmar, and for repressive actions and decisions which have caused serious human rights violations.

The two military-controlled companies are the Myanmar Economic Holdings Public Company Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation Limited (MEC). These two entities are large conglomerates that operate in many sectors of Myanmar’s economy and are owned and controlled by the Myanmar Armed Forces, known as the Tatmadaw. The adopted sanctions specifically target the economic interests of Myanmar’s military regime, which is responsible for the overthrow of the country’s democratically elected government.

The sanctioning of these two military owned companies follows similar actions taken by the UK and US. Restrictive measures, including asset freezes and travel bans, now apply to a total of 35 Burmese individuals. In addition, EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities.

Benedict Rogers, CSW’s Senior Analyst for East Asia and author of three books on Myanmar/Burma said: “CSW welcomes the sanctioning of further individuals and military controlled entities responsible or implicated in the 1 February military coup and ensuing repression. These actions are much needed to deter further human rights violations, including violations of freedom of religion or belief. We urge the EU and its Member States to continue to effectively use these sanctions as deterrents by identifying further individuals and military owned companies responsible for serious human rights violations and that continue to eschew EU sanctions.”