Mizzima

The UK announced further measures targeting the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) today with sanctions against military-linked conglomerate Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC).

Immediately enforced, the sanctions against MEC are in response to the Tatmadaw’s involvement in serious human rights violations, by making funds available to the military, as well as its association with senior military figures.

The MEC Board of Directors is mainly comprised of serving or retired military personnel, including Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force and the former Quartermaster General.

MECs designation will also prohibit funds or economic resources being made available to any subsidiaries ‘owned or controlled’ by MEC as defined by the Global Human Rights sanctions regime.

An asset freeze prevents anyone from dealing with funds or economic resources which are owned or controlled by the sanctioned individual or entity.

It also prevents others from providing funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of the sanctioned individual or entity - in this case MEC.

Burma Campaign UK welcomed the additional sanctions but called on Britain to do more by working to achieve a global arms embargo on Burma, support international criminal court actions and a securing a resolution on Burma at the United Nations Security Council.

“Every opportunity for pressure on the military must be used,” said spokesperson Anna Roberts. “Dominic Raab can and must do more.”

A statement released yesterday by the Australian, British French and New Zealand Chambers of Commerce in Myanmar said they share “grave concern and sadness that the situation across Myanmar continues to deteriorate.

“We join with other Business Chambers and Associations, Non-Government and Civil Society Organisations, Foreign Embassies and Governments, Companies, the Myanmar people and the global community to condemn and call for an end to the killing and violence against the Myanmar people.