SAP Report
The United States, along with other western nations, slapped fresh sanctions on Myanmar in late-January marking the second anniversary of a military coup launched to counter pro-democracy activists in the Southeast Asian country. The US Treasury Department placed sanctions on Myanmar Energy Minister Myo Myint Oo and the top two officials of the state-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise.
It also placed sanctions on Myanmar Air Force Chief Htun Aung; Hla Swe, a former military official who the Treasury said provides arms to pro-regime militias; and Htoo Htwe Tay Za, daughter of Tay Za, a businessman whose large Htoo Group works closely with the Myanmar military. In addition, the Treasury Department sanctioned the military-controlled Union Election Commission and two state-owned mining companies. On February 1, 2021, Myanmar’s military overthrew the democratically elected government and removed the civilian leaders from power, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Over the past two years, the military has continued to use violence and oppression to deny the people of Myanmar the ability to choose their own leaders.
“Burma’s military regime has used its military aircraft to conduct aerial bombings and other attacks against pro-democracy forces, killing and displacing countless civilians,” said a release of the US Treasury Department.
“Two years after Burma’s military forcibly overthrew the democratically elected government of Myanmar, the United States, along with partner nations like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, continue to stand with the people of Burma as they seek freedom and democracy,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.
“The United States will continue to promote accountability for those who provide financial and material support to, and directly enable, the violent suppression of democracy in Burma.”
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, “The United States remains firm in our position that the regime’s planned elections cannot be free or fair, not while the regime has killed, detained, or forced possible contenders to flee, nor while it continues to inflict brutal violence against its peaceful opponents.”
“The United States will continue to support the pro-democracy movement and its efforts to advance peace and multiparty governance in Burma. We commend those working to strengthen unity and cohesion among diverse groups who share a vision of a genuine and inclusive democracy in Burma.”
The sanctions, announced in parallel with similar actions by Canada and Britain, came after Myanmar’s junta cast doubt on its announced plan to hold new elections, saying the country had “not returned to normalcy.”
As of February 2023, the civilian death toll at the hands of Myanmar’s junta hit an estimated 3,000, while more than 15,800 people remain in unlawful detention, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which monitors regime killings and arrests. Human Rights Watch has documented widespread and systematic abuses since the coup, including extrajudicial killings and torture, that amount to crimes against humanity.
Support to, and directly enable, the violent suppression of democracy in Myanmar.” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, “The United States remains firm in our position that the regime’s planned elections cannot be free or fair, not while the regime has killed, detained, or forced possible contenders to flee, nor while it continues to inflict brutal violence against its peaceful opponents.”
“The United States will continue to support the pro-democracy movement and its efforts to advance peace and multiparty governance in Myanmar. We commend those working to strengthen unity and cohesion among diverse groups who share a vision of a genuine and inclusive democracy in Myanmar.”
The sanctions, announced in parallel with similar actions by Canada and Britain, came after Myanmar’s junta cast doubt on its announced plan to hold new elections, saying the country had “not returned to normalcy.”
As of February 2023, the civilian death toll at the hands of Myanmar’s junta hit an estimated 3,000, while more than 15,800 people remain in unlawful detention, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which monitors regime killings and arrests. Human Rights Watch has documented widespread and systematic abuses since the coup, including extrajudicial killings and torture, that amount to crimes against humanity.