Myanmar/Burma: EU adds 7 military and border guard police officials responsible for human rights violations to sanctions list

The Council added 7 individuals to the list of those subject to restrictive measures in light of the situation in Myanmar/Burma. These sanctions consist of an asset freeze and a travel ban.

The individuals subject to sanctions are part of the Myanmar army (Tatmadaw) and the border guard police. They are listed for serious human rights violations committed against the Rohingya population, ethnic minority villagers or civilians. These sanctions follow the findings of the independent international fact-finding mission of the UN Human Rights Council and of other reports which concluded that gross human rights violations were committed in Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan States. This brings the total number of persons subject to sanctions for serious human rights violations in Myanmar/Burma to 14.

As stated in its conclusions of 10 December 2018, the Council calls upon the government of Myanmar/Burma to take, without further delay, meaningful action and to make progress in all areas of concern set out in its previous conclusions of 26 February 2018. In particular, the Council invites Myanmar/Burma to address the issues of accountability, access for the UN and humanitarian agencies to Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan States, and to create conditions for voluntary, safe and dignified return of displaced persons to their places of origin.

On 26 April 2018, the Council extended and strengthened the EU embargo on Myanmar/Burma on arms and equipment that can be used for internal repression. It also adopted a framework for targeted measures against officials responsible for serious human rights violations and prohibited the provision of military training to and military cooperation with the Myanmar/Burma army. On 25 June 2018, the Council adopted sanctions against 7 senior military, border guard and police officials responsible for or associated with serious human rights violations against the Rohingya population.

The legal acts adopted today, including the names of the individuals concerned by the sanctions, are published in the Official Journal of 21 December 2018.

The decision was adopted by written procedure.

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