25 February 2021

Six more Myanmar military figures handed UK sanctions for role in coup

25 February 2021

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has announced further sanctions against members of the Myanmar military for their part in the coup that has deposed the democratic leadership.

Six more military figures of the State Administration Council face sanctions for serious human rights violations on top of 19 previously listed by the UK, the Foreign Office said.

The sanctions will ban them from travelling to Britain and will prevent businesses and institutions from dealing with their funds or economic resources in this country.

The military took control of the south-east Asian country on February 1 and detained the nation’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, after her party won a landslide in November elections.

Mr Raab said: “Today’s package of measures sends a clear message to the military regime in Myanmar that those responsible for human rights violations will be held to account, and the authorities must hand back control to a government elected by the people of Myanmar.

“My message to the people of Myanmar is simple – the UK is working closely with our international partners to support your right to democracy and freedom of expression.”

The latest sanctions come after Mr Raab used a speech at the UN Human Rights Council this week to call for international action against those who led the coup.

Anti-coup protesters display images of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon, Myanmar (AP)

The Department for International Trade will lead on work to ensure UK businesses are not trading with Myanmar’s military-owned companies, the Government said.

Ministers have already made moves to prevent UK aid from being indirectly used to support the military-led government, which contends there was fraud in last year’s election and says it will hold power for a year before staging new elections.

The state election commission found no evidence to support the claims of fraud.

The military says its takeover is legitimate under a 2008 constitution that was drafted under military rule and ensures the army maintains ultimate control over the country.

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