On 22 march 2021, the United States and European Union (EU) announced sanctions on top Myanmar military commanders and police linked to the recent coup. The EU imposed asset freeze and travel bans on ten senior military offices including junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and the head of Myanmar Election Commission. The United states designated Myanmar Police Chief and another general, Aung Soe, adding towards the existing list of ten military officers on the sanction list since 11 February 2021. Two army units, 33rd and 77th Light Infantry Divisions were placed on the designated list too.
This effort is welcomed and Free Myanmar thanks the United States and the EU on their ongoing support towards Myanmar’s democracy struggle. But we feel that it is too little and is neither harsh nor broad enough to meaningfully impact the military’s capability in suppressing its citizens. People of Myanmar are valiantly fighting against this undemocratic power grab through street protests and a civil disobedience movement to which the military has countered by a violent crackdown using assault weapons firing high velocity rounds. Close to 250 unarmed protesters and bystanders have been killed and that number continues to rise every day. This current sanction will do little to change that trajectory in the near term. We need more punishing interventions and the time is running out as the country is now turned into a slaughter house at the hands of the murderous military. The sanctions should be expanded to many more military owned and run business conglomerates that finance the military. Any financial or banking transactions involving the military run businesses should be blocked by the US and EU affiliated banks. There should be a stronger restriction for EU and US companies in doing business with Myanmar military affiliated companies. The United Sates and the EU should try to discover or understand the much more widespread nature of Myanmar military’s business empire. Only such a larger targeted sanction stands a chance in bringing Myanmar military down to its knees by choking off its blood supply of foreign exchange stream. We sincerely hope United States and EU will follow up very soon with another round of bigger sanction towards Myanmar military affiliated business enterprises and family members of its top echelons. Any further delay in toppling the junta means additional tens of innocent lives lost daily in Myanmar. Please act now!
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