Americans, Brits and Canadians sanction Myanmar Despots. More will follow

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Americans, Brits and Canadians are now banned from dealing with certain Myanmar Officials, particularly 16 persons investigated by US security officials and named by Secretary Blinken.

“Anyone who wishes to do business with these three countries may be blocked if they are dealing with the offending alleged criminals in Myanmar, is how I think that will work, meanwhile all their offshore assets are frozen,” suggests Sandra Ellingsworth who is the team leader of a humanitarian group doing HIV testing in Myanmar.

Secretary of State Blinkin said on Twitter that, “The U.S. is designating Burma’s State Administrative Council and 16 individuals connected to the military regime. We take this action alongside the United Kingdom and Canada, who are also imposing costs on the regime. Thank you to my counterparts, Dominic Raab and Marc Garneau, for your efforts.”

Story by Sharon Santiago with files from Micheal John

Britain Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, referred to by Secretary Blinkin, has announced that his country has imposed sanctions aimed at thrashing income of the Myanmar ruling generals by drying up funds from the country’s gem trade. The state-owned Myanmar Gems Enterprise was hit hard with an asset freeze.

“Despite numerous international calls for the Tatmadaw to end its violence against its own people in Myanmar, it is clearly showing its unwillingness to change its course of action. Canada stands ready to lend our support to ASEAN and UN efforts to initiate an inclusive political dialogue to end the crisis and restore democratic, civilian governance. Canada stands with the people of Myanmar as they continue to fight to restore democracy and freedom in their country and we will not hesitate to take further action,” said Minister Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a statement.

 

Arrested for three finger salute. Meet primary school teacher
Ayemya Thida who is now
imprisoned by the Tatmadaw
for using the three finger salute.
Source supplied photo. Art/Cropping/Enhancement: Rosa Yamamoto / Feminine-Perspective Magazine

The Three Finger Salute The Three Finger Salute of the people of Myanmar seeking freedom from oppression. Student art, May 2021.

As a concession to Japan, which according to humanitarian workers who know Yuki, did an incredible job of lobbying for his release, Yuki Kitazumi is FREE AT LAST!

Read more: Myanmar Political Prisoners Harshly Interrogated: Freed Japanese Journalist (irrawaddy.com)

Strung with cameras and recorders in Myanmar, journalist Yuki Kitazumi Free at last two days ago. Strung with cameras and recorders in Myanmar, journalist Yuki Kitazumi had been covering the opposition to the Tatmadaw murders since the military coup on 1 February. He was arrested at his home on 18 April 2021 after posting video of tributes to the murdered opponents to the junta. Finally oin the weekend he was freed. His family is overjoyed say his friends. Photo Credit: Sandra Ellingsworth/RINJ

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Six Tatmadaw Generals who led the 1 February Junta Coup are also alleged criminals against humanity who led ‘genocidal actions’ against the Rohingya people in 2016-2017. They are:

  • Commander-in-Chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing;
  • Brigadier-General Aung Aung, commander of the 33rd Light Infantry Division;
  • Vice Senior-General Soe Win; the commander of the Bureau of Special Operations-3;
  • Lieutenant-General Aung Kyaw Zaw; the commander of Western Regional Military Command;
  • Major-General Maung Maung Soe; and
  • Brigadier-General Than Oo, the commander of 99th Light Infantry Division.

(The UN investigative report of 2019 on the conduct of these men said that ethnic cleansing is evident and that their crimes have “all the hallmarks of genocide”. The report of the UN investigative team’s findings is so graphic that Lise Gregoire-van Haaren, deputy permanent representative of the Netherlands to the UN, felt  compelled to say that “The number of heavily traumatized women, men and children is beyond people’s comprehension. Myanmar must cooperate so Rohingya can return in a safe, dignified and sustainable way [to their homes in Myanmar].”)