Brussels (Brussels Morning) – The European Council extends restrictive measures on Myanmar for a year, citing ongoing grave situations including actions damaging democracy and human rights violations. Sanctions target individuals and entities, aiming to address the crisis.
The European Council has today on 26 April 2024 extended the EU restrictive steps in view of the circumstances in Myanmar for one year, until 30 April 2025. The conclusion was taken on the basis of the annual assessment of the restrictive measures and in view of the ongoing grave situation in Myanmar, including actions damaging democracy, as well as serious human rights violations.
What Are the EU’s Actions Against Myanmar Military?
According to the Press of the European Council, Restrictive measures presently apply to a total of 103 people and 21 entities. Those documented under the sanctions regime are subject to an asset freeze and the condition of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their usefulness is prohibited. Additionally, a travel prohibition to the EU applies to the natural persons listed.
Other EU restrictive actions remain in place: the prohibition on arms and equipment and export limitations on equipment for monitoring communications which might be utilised for internal repression, the export ban on dual-use goods for usefulness by the military and border guard police, and the prohibition of military training and cooperation with the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw).
EU restrictive measures come in complement to the withholding of EU financial assistance directly belonging to the government and the freezing of all EU offerings that may be seen as legitimising the junta.
How Does the EU Address Myanmar’s Human Rights Violations?”
The EU also revives its condemnation in the strongest potential terms of the military coup and its aftermath and remains extremely concerned by the continuing escalation of brutality and the evolution towards a protracted conflict in the country. The repressive measures of the Myanmar military, marked by the use of indiscriminate brutality against its own population, stand as a serious violation of basic human rights and a heinous disregard for the principles of justice and humanity. The EU reaffirms its uncompromising commitment to the people of Myanmar in their quest for an unrestricted, peaceful and democratic future.
Is the EU’s Commitment to Myanmar’s Future Unwavering?
On 22 April 2013, the European Council adopted restrictive measures in respect of Myanmar/Burma. The Council has inflicted restrictive measures against those responsible for the military coup orchestrated in Myanmar on 1 February 2021, and the subsequent military and police repression against amicable demonstrators on 22 March, 19 April and 21 June 2021, 21 February and 8 November 2022, 20 February, 20 July and 11 December 2023.
