London, UK – The Burma Human Rights Network welcomes Council of the European Union conclusions on Myanmar that adopted on 10th December, especially their decision to adopt additional sanctions against senior military and border guard officials complicit in what the U.N. has now found likely constituted an act of genocide against the Rohingya people. With atrocities continuing against the Rohingya and other Burmese minorities, these sanctions are an important step, but more clearly needs to be done – this includes the EU extending its sanctions to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, named by the recent Fact-Finding Mission.

The Council’s decision to also explore sanctions against entities, particularly the companies and cronies linked to the military leadership is a potential game changer in the punitive approach taken by the international community. For decades the Burmese leadership have been able to duck and weave individual sanctions, but we now have an increasingly clearer picture on the entities they use to do this and we must go after them too. Ultimately, it is crucial targeted sanctions remain the bedrock of the EU’s approach.

The EU’s leadership, including its joint efforts with the OIC in the UN’s Human Rights Council and in the General Assembly’s Third Committee, has been key. But now is the time for the EU to step up these efforts, including through helping ensure the newly mandated “independent mechanism” which will investigate and prepare trial ready cases is able to be fully funded to get to work. This week’s Fifth Committee negotiations in the General Assembly are crucial in this regard and the EU, OIC and others must stand strong in the face of any attempt to gut the mechanism of its proposed funding.

Background on the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN)
BHRN is based in London and operates across Burma/Myanmar working for human rights, minority rights and religious freedom in the country. BHRN has played a crucial role in advocating for human rights and religious freedom with politicians and world leaders.

Media Enquiries
Please contact:

Kyaw Win
Executive Director
Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN)
E: [email protected]
T: +44(0) 740 345 2378

Download this press release HERE.