EU, UK, Canada Issue Coordinated Myanmar Sanctions
The EU, the U.K. and Canada this week announced new, coordinated sanctions against Myanmar to target people and entities supplying controlled items to the military or for their involvement in human rights violations in the country.
The Council of the European Union designated the Chit Linn Myaing Group, a group of companies that it said helps to run “scam compounds” in the country and on the Thai-Myanmar border. The group, which was founded by Col. Saw Chit Thu, is closely linked to the Tatmadaw, Myanmar's armed forces, and is involved in forced labor, torture and other “massive human rights violations.”
The EU also sanctioned Lt. Col. Mote Thun, founding member of the Karen National Army, an armed group affiliated with the Tatmadaw. It also designated Maj. Tin Win, a “direct subordinate” to Saw Chit and “has supported and benefited” from the scam compounds.
The EU is “deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of violence in Myanmar” and “condemns the continuing grave human rights violations by the Tatmadaw,” the council said.
The U.K.’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation sanctioned Myanmar-based Asia Sun Group Company Limited, King Royal Technologies Co. Ltd, Myan-Oil Company Limited, Progress Technology Support Company Limited, Rich Ray Trading Company Limited and Swan Energy Company Limited for their ties to the country’s military. OFSI said the companies have supplied aviation fuel to the military or other goods and technology that can be used to violate human rights.
Canada sanctioned three people and four entities that it said are either senior Myanmar military officials or are supplying weapons and military equipment to the military. The designations target Charlie Than, Ne Aung and Win Kyaw Kyaw Aun along with King Royal Technologies Company Ltd., Royal Shune Lei Company Ltd., International Group of Entrepreneurs (IGE) Company Ltd., and Swan Energy Company Limited.
Melanie Joly, Canada’s foreign affairs minister, said the country will “continue to put pressure on the regime to support the people of Myanmar in their path toward genuine and inclusive democracy.”