The Myanmar Campaign Network (MCN) is calling on the Australian government to impose targeted sanctions on the Myanmar junta within 100 days of the Australian federal election.

The Myanmar Campaign Network (MCN) is an Australian national coalition formed following the 2021 coup in Myanmar, comprising human rights organisations, international aid NGOs, Myanmar diaspora organisations, trade unions and faith-based organisations. This project is under the auspices of Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA.

The following is their statement issued on 10 August:

Hundreds of supporters have taken to social media to announce their support of Australian targeted sanctions on the Myanmar junta. The supporters are calling on the Australian Government to issue targeted sanctions on the Myanmar military and its extensive business interests within 100 days of the Australian federal election.

Advocates of the campaign, launched by Myanmar Campaign Network, held signs displaying the slogan “I Support Targeted Sanctions On The Myanmar Junta #AUSanctionMyanmarJunta #100DayCampaign” at ceremonies and political events all over the country. Most notably, supporters displayed the signs at the official opening of the National Unity Government Diplomatic
Residence in Canberra last week on Wednesday 3 August and the public opening on 6 August.

Dr Tun Aung Shwe, the National Unity Government Representative to Australia was photographed holding the sign at both events. Dr Tun Aung Shwe said, “Our office fully supports this campaign, and supports the Australian government in taking action on the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. The junta understands only one language - that is pressure ” Tasneem Roc, Campaign Manager for Myanmar Campaign Network said, “The recent policy changes to regulate the outflow and inflow of foreign capital in Myanmar show that the junta is desperate to keep its hands on the dollars it uses to buy heavy artillery, jets and aviation fuel to attack civilians. Cutting off the flow of foreign revenue will hit the junta where it hurts.”

Kate Lee, Executive Officer of Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA said, “Targeted sanctions against the junta and its business interests demonstrates our Australian values of human rights and democracy, and is an essential tool to restore human rights and workers rights in Myanmar.”

The UK, Canada, USA, and the EU have issued sanctions on over 196 individuals and 172 entities. Australia is lagging behind, having issued no new sanctions since the coup. Australia has only sanctioned five Myanmar military individuals in 2018 in relation to the Rohingya genocide. While the regime’s wrongful incarceration of Australian economist Professor Sean Turnell has been raised as the primary concern against sanctions, some experts say that soft diplomacy has failed to secure his release, and targeted sanctions will provide Australia leverage with the junta.

As the leading democratic nation in the Southeast Asia region, Australia must act on the ongoing and previous human rights violations, crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, and serious violations of humanitarian law in Myanmar.