The United Kingdom announced sanctions against three Burmese generals on Feb. 18, highlighting their involvement in serious human rights abuses following a military coup in Burma. These sanctions are in addition to those already imposed by the U.K. against 16 individuals in the Burmese military. The Canadian government also announced sanctions against nine Burmese military figures.
“The UK sanctions Burma’s military generals for serious human rights violations following the military coup,” reads a statement from the British Foreign Office. The statement said, “Three people have been sanctioned for serious human rights abuses and the Foreign Secretary has announced a halt to new work by British businesses working with the Burmese military. The British Foreign Secretary announced that the UK will impose an immediate asset freeze and travel ban on three members of the Burmese military regime for serious human rights abuses during the coup. These measures are being taken in tandem with Canada, which also announced action against the regime today.”
The statement noted, “In addition to these sanctions, the UK has imposed sanctions on 16 individuals from the Burmese military. Today’s sanctions are made under the UK’s sanctions regime against Burma and represent further action by the UK, together with its allies, to send a message to the Burmese military that there will be consequences for its human rights abuses. The sanctions are effective immediately. The Burmese military and police have committed serious human rights violations, including violations of the right to Life, the right to freedom of assembly, the right not to be arbitrarily arrested or detained, and the right to freedom of expression.”
The statement said, “The UK will be held accountable for the serious human rights violations committed by the Burmese Defence Minister, General Mya Tun Oo, against the military. Home Affairs Minister Lieutenant General Soe Thuy is responsible for serious human rights violations by the Burmese police force. Lieutenant General Than Hlaing, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, for his responsibility for serious human rights violations by the Burmese police force.” In response to the coup and subsequent human rights abuses in Burma, the British Foreign Office has also launched an enhanced due diligence process to mitigate the risks to military enterprises operating in the UK and related illicit financial flows, the British side said.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, “The UK condemns the military coup and the arbitrary detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political figures. We will work with our international allies to hold the Burmese military to account for human rights abuses and to deliver justice for the people of Burma.” In addition, Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau filibustered the announcement that Canada had imposed sanctions on nine Burmese military figures. Canada said, “Since seizing control, the Burmese military and the newly established State Administrative Council have conducted a systematic campaign of repression through coercive legislative measures and the use of force, including mass arbitrary detentions, restrictions on access to information and the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, association and assembly.”
Garneau emphasized that “Canada stands with the people of Burma and supports their quest for democracy and human rights. We have worked with international partners calling for the restoration of a democratically elected government, and we have echoed their calls for the Burmese military to release those unjustly detained in the military takeover. Canada will always be an advocate for democracy and human rights around the world.”
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