EU Council imposes sanctions on Myanmar generals News
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EU Council imposes sanctions on Myanmar generals

The Council of the European Union imposed sanctions Monday on 11 individuals responsible for the February 1 military coup staged in Myanmar and the subsequent military and police repression against peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators.

The restrictive measures, which are an application of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, comprise a travel ban that prevents those targeted from entering or transiting through EU territory, as well as an asset freeze that covers the funds or economic resources in the EU of the listed persons. In addition, the measures also prohibit EU citizens and entities from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities.

The measures specifically target individuals belonging to the highest ranks of the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw), including the Tatmadaw’s Commander-in-Chief, Min Aung Hlaing, and Deputy-Commander-in-Chief, Soe Win. Also included in the list is the new Chairperson of the Union Election Commission, Thein Soe, who was added for his role in canceling the results of the 2020 elections in Myanmar.

The new sanctions add onto previously existing measures which included an arms embargo on the Tatmadaw, as well as export bans of dual-use goods for use by the military and border guard police, export restrictions on equipment for monitoring communications that could be used for internal repression, and a prohibition on military training to and military cooperation with the Tatmadaw.

The new measures are in line with the Council’s conclusions of February, where it had threatened sanctions unless the Myanmar Armed Forces agreed to renounce its actions. More specifically, in its conclusions, the EU Council stated that:

The European Union calls upon the military authorities, and in particular the Commander-in Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to immediately and unconditionally release President U Win Myint, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all those who have been detained or arrested in connection with the coup. Unimpeded telecommunications must be ensured; the freedoms of expression, association, and assembly, and access to information guaranteed, and the rule of law and human rights respected.

The EU Council’s move is the latest condemnation of the Military coup, following the US House of Representatives’ recent approval of a resolution condemning the Myanmar military junta.

For more information on the JURIST’s coverage of the Myanmar Coup, please refer to our section on Myanmar Dispatches.

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