17 May 2021 – London/Yangon – Burma Human Rights Network strongly welcomes the UK government’s announcement that it will be imposing a new sanction on Burma, this time targeting Myanmar Gems Enterprise (MGE). MGE is a state-owned enterprise that has a monopoly on the multi-million-dollar gemstone market in Burma. The Tatmadaw is the main beneficiary of the revenues. MGE is under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.

Since the fascist Tatmadaw’s overthrow of the democratically elected government on 1st February 2021, more than 800 peaceful protesters have been killed, several being seriously injured, and more than 5000 have been arrested. The brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters has been systematically carried out by the fascist Tatmadaw across Burma, using machine guns, RPG, snipers, and battle-grade weapons. It has also been reported that several people, including members of the NLD party, were brutally killed during interrogation. The fascist Tatmadaw’s violent crackdown on civilians, including the killing of women, children, and elders, has once again put Burma on the international news headlines.

“Sanctions against Burma are working, and the US, UK, and EU should further target Myanmar’s energy and financial sectors which are strategically important for the Tatmadaw. Burma’s banking sector is about to collapse as the public is withdrawing their money because of their lack of trust. Increased pressure now could help resolve this situation quickly before the Tatmadaw can inflict any further harm on the civilian population,” said Kyaw Win, Executive Director of BHRN.

Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, as well as the Myanmar energy sector, have been significant sources of income revenue for the fascist Tatmadaw. These revenues have been spent to purchase weapons that are used against the citizens of Burma. Therefore, the international community must immediately impose an arms embargo on Burma.

BHRN urges G7 countries to follow the lead of the UK and US and impose sanctions on all the entities that are related to or benefiting from the fascist Tatmadaw. It is equally crucial that G7 countries take seriously the need to impose an arms embargo against the fascist Tatmadaw.