Penrose Thitsa
In response to the escalating violence, gross human rights violations, and threats to peace, security and stability in Myanmar, the European Union (EU) has taken a decisive step by announcing a seventh round of sanctions, according to the press release of the Council of the EU.
This latest round of restrictive measures is aimed at targeting six individuals and one entity allegedly involved in perpetuating the crisis in the country.
The move comes as a firm response to the continued crisis in the country, which has drawn international condemnation.
The individuals and entity targeted in the latest round of sanctions have been identified as key players in the ongoing military junta that has been responsible for numerous atrocities. Among the listed are three Union Ministers: Myint Kyaing (Union Minister for Immigration and Population), Pwint San (Union Minister of Labour), and Dr Thet Khaing Win (the Minister for Health and Sport). Additionally, two members of the Military Council, officially known as State Administration Council (SAC) and a Quartermaster General have been included in the sanction list. The SAC is led by Commander in Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who spearheaded the military coup on February 1, 2021. The latest individuals from the Military Council facing sanctions are Aung Kyaw Min and Porel Aung Thein, while Lieutenant General Kyaw Swar Lin, the Quartermaster General, is also subject to the new sanctions.
Notably, the No. 2 Mining Enterprise (ME2), a state-owned enterprise generating revenue for the Myanmar Armed Forces, has also been subjected to restrictive measures.
Myint Kyaing has been the Union Minister for Immigration and Population since August 19, 2021. Before that, he was Union Minister of Labour following the coup in February 2021. He is also a member of the SAC.
Pwint San has been Union Minister of Labour since 19 August 2022. His position as the Union Minister of Labour was confirmed again on February 1 this year.
Dr Thet Khaing Win has been the Minister for Health and Sport since February 1, 2021. Under his authority, numerous doctors faced dismissal and had their licenses revoked for political reasons, while UNOCHA's pleas for increased aid access during the pandemic were consistently rebuffed. Furthermore, private hospitals were pressured not to hire doctors who opposed working under the military regime, according to the official journal of the EU.
Aung Kyaw Min has been a member of the SAC since February 1, this year. He is also the former Chief-Minister of Rakhine State.
Porel Aung Thein assumed his role as a member of the SAC on February 1, this year, and he is additionally affiliated with the military-proxy party, Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)
In May 2020, Lieutenant General Kyaw Swar Lin assumed the role of Quartermaster General, the sixth highest position in Myanmar's military. As the head of the Office of the Quartermaster General, a department under the Ministry of Defense, he oversees the procurement of arms and military equipment for the Myanmar Armed Forces. Additionally, Kyaw Swar Lin leads the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), one of the military's major conglomerates and revenue-generating holding companies, said the official journal of the EU.
As of now, the EU has imposed restrictive measures on a total of 99 individuals and 19 entities connected to the military junta. These measures entail asset freezes and travel bans, preventing those listed from entering or transiting through EU territory. Furthermore, EU individuals and entities are prohibited from providing funds to the designated individuals and entities
The EU has been steadfast in maintaining other restrictive measures against Myanmar, including an arms and equipment embargo, export restrictions on communication monitoring equipment that could be used for internal repression, and a ban on exporting dual-use goods to the military and border guard police. Moreover, military training and cooperation with Myanmar’s military have been prohibited.
The EU press release expresses grave concern over escalating violence, human rights violations, and democratic erosion in Myanmar.
“The EU remains deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of violence and the evolution towards a protracted conflict with regional implications. The Union condemns the continuing grave human rights violations including torture, sexual and gender-based violence, the persecution of civil society, human rights defenders and journalists, indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population, including a deadly airstrike killing at least 171 persons on 10 April 2023, by the Myanmar armed forces. The dissolution of 40 political parties on 28 March 2023 was another demonstration of the blatant disrespect by the military regime for democracy and the rights and wishes of the Myanmar population,” said the press release.
The urgent call from the EU demands an immediate cessation of hostilities and full adherence to international humanitarian law to halt indiscriminate use of force.
“All hostilities must stop immediately. The military authorities must fully respect international humanitarian law and put an end to the indiscriminate use of force,” said the press release.
The EU has consistently condemned the military coup in Myanmar since February 2021.
On January 31, 2023, the High Representative issued a declaration stating the EU's readiness to adopt further restrictive measures against those directly responsible for undermining democracy and committing serious human rights violations in Myanmar.
