Military hit with more sanctions
EU move comes as Asean leaders prepare for meeting on crisis
THE European Union expanded its sanctions against Myanmar’s military leaders and army-controlled companies ahead of a regional meeting to discuss the worsening crisis after army leaders deposed the elected government.
The Council of the European Union’s latest sanctions target 10 individuals and two military-controlled companies already subject to sanctions by the US, Britain and other governments.
It is unclear if such moves are having any impact as the military escalates its efforts to crush opposition to its seizure of power.
Myanmar’s economy is already in crisis, worsened by the coronavirus pandemic and by the mass civil disobedience movement that arose following the Feb 1 coup.
The EU said the number of individuals sanctioned was expanded to 35 people it said were responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law, for repressive decisions and for serious human rights violations.
The two military-controlled companies, Myanma Economic Holdings Public Company Ltd and Myanmar Economic Corp, have vast holdings in many industries and help to fund the military.
All are subject to having their assets frozen, travel banned and other measures. EU citizens and businesses are banned from doing business or providing funds to them without special permission.
“Today’s decision is a sign of the EU’s unity and determination in condemning the brutal actions of the military junta, and aims at effecting change in the junta’s leadership,” the EU said yesterday.
“Today’s decision also sends a clear message to the military leadership: continuing on the current path will only bring further suffering and will never grant any legitimacy.”
Since the coup, security forces have killed at least 738 protesters and bystanders, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which monitors casualties and arrests.
It says more than 3,200 people are still detained, among them deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.
South-East Asian countries will discuss the crisis in Myanmar at a summit in Jakarta on Saturday, the Asean bloc’s secretariat said yesterday, but Thailand’s prime minister said several would be represented only by their foreign ministers.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said he would not be attending and that Thailand would be represented by Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai, who is also foreign minister.
A Thai government official said on Saturday that Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing would go to Jakarta, although the Myanmar government has not commented.
However, this is seen as unlikely – in previous stints of military rule, Myanmar has usually been represented at regional meetings by a prime minister or foreign minister.
Meanwhile, a group of journalists in Japan called on Myanmar’s junta yesterday to free a colleague, Yuki Kitazumi, detained in Yangon following a crackdown on media amid the ongoing protests.
“We want the junta to stop oppressing the citizens of Myanmar, and we seek the swift release of the many detained journalists, including Kitazumi, who strive to tell the truth,” Isoko Mochizuki, a fellow journalist, told a news conference.
The group started an online petition on Monday addressed to Myanmar’s junta and the Japanese government calling for Kitazumi’s release. So far, about 2,000 people have signed the petition.