The United States today announced the first wave of sanctions against Burma, targeting 10 current and former military officers and three military-affiliated entities, including junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and acting President Myint Swe. Secretary of State John Burke also again urged the Burmese military to relinquish power.
The U.S. military launched a coup against the democratically elected government on January 1, arresting senior state minister Aung San Suu Kyi, the substantive leader of Burma, and several leaders of her National League for Democracy (NLD). The U.S. immediately labeled the incident a “military coup” and President Joe Biden announced on October 10 that he would impose a series of sanctions on Burma.
The U.S. Treasury Department today announced the first wave of sanctions, including six members of the National Defense and Security Council (NDC), which was directly involved in the military coup, and four members of the State Administration Council (SAC), which will be established by the Burmese military government. Four are members of the State Administration Council, which will be established by the Burmese military government.
The list includes Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces; Soe Win, Min Aung Hlaing’s deputy; Myint Swe, a retired general currently serving as acting president; Mya Htun Oo, a general appointed as defense minister; and Tin Aung San, a general appointed as transportation minister. Min Aung Htun Oo, appointed as Defense Minister, and Tin Aung San, appointed as Transportation Minister.
Min Aung Hlaing and Soe Win were sanctioned by former U.S. President Donald Trump‘s administration in 2019 for their involvement in atrocities against the Rohingya people of Burma.
The U.S. also sanctioned three entities owned, controlled or associated with the Burmese military or security forces, including Myanmar Ruby Enterprise, Myanmar Imperial Jade Co and Cancri Gems and Jewellery Co.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury said all assets and interests in assets of persons and entities sanctioned today, as well as any entity owned more than 50 percent directly, indirectly, or jointly with other blacklisted persons, that are in the United States or held or controlled by others in the United States, will be frozen and must be reported to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also issued a statement today saying that the U.S. government has made it clear that the events in Burma are a coup and that the U.S. will not stand idly by. He also again urged the Burmese military to relinquish power and restore a democratically elected government, and to release all those who have been unjustly detained.
Buerken said the coup overturned the will of the Burmese people as expressed in last November’s elections. Since Feb. 1, the people of Burma have demonstrated their commitment to democracy through peaceful protests and civil disobedience, and “the United States stands with them.
Recent Comments