- UK announces further sanctions
against prominent arms dealer and aviation fuel suppliers in
Myanmar.
- Sanctions to target enablers of air
force bombing campaign against civilian population.
- Announcement comes as Myanmar marks
its annual Armed Forces Day.
A new round of UK sanctions will target suppliers to the Myanmar
regime of military equipment and other material, which are still
being used to attack its civilians.
Those sanctioned today include a company and its director who
supply the Myanmar Air Forces with aviation fuel and a second
individual who is the director of a company which supplies
restricted goods and technology through its business.
On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew the
democratically-elected government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and
installed a military regime. Since then, they have used violence
and atrocities to maintain power and suppress any opposition
voices.
Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, , said:
“On Myanmar Armed Forces Day, the UK condemns the military's
increasingly brutal campaign against the Myanmar
people.
"The sanctions announced today are designed to reduce the
military’s access to fuel and military
equipment.
“The UK will continue to work closely with partners to hold
the military regime to account and support the people of Myanmar,
as they strive for a return to democracy and freedom.”
These targeted sanctions will raise the cost for those profiting
from, or supporting, the regime and restrict the military’s
access to fuel and military equipment.
The UK has led the international community’s work to support a
peaceful resolution in Myanmar and a return to democracy, as well
as pushing for progress towards accountability and justice. It
has also played a key role in calling on countries around the
world to end the sale and transfer of arms and equipment which
facilitate the military’s atrocities.
At the United Nations the UK successfully coordinated a Security
Council Resolution on the crisis, the first of its kind, to apply
further pressure on the military to end its violence and engage
in dialogue.
This will be the 15th round of targeted sanctions by
the UK against the military regime in Myanmar. The UK will
continue to work with international partners to maintain pressure
on the military regimeand welcomes the sanctions announced by the
US to coincide with Myanmar Armed Forces Day.
BACKGROUND:
Those sanctioned today are:
- Shoon Energy Pte Ltd – a company
profiting from the supply of aviation fuel to the Myanmar Air
Force.
- Khin Phyu Win: current Director and
shareholder of Shoon Energy Pte Ltd.
- Tun Min Latt: Director of Star
Sapphire Trading Company Limited, a company previously sanctioned
by the UK which supplies restricted goods or technology through
its business.
Asset freeze
An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the
UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are
owned, held or controlled by the designated person. UK financial
sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and
territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they
are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources
being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person.
Travel ban
A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused
leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the
individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the
Immigration Act 1971.