New UK sanctions will target those who supply the Myanmar regime with materials, including military equipment, which are still being used to attack its civilians.

From:Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP

Published27 March 2023

• UK announces further sanctions against prominent arms dealer and aviation fuel suppliers in Myanmar
• sanctions to target enablers of air force bombing campaign against civilian population
• announcement comes as Myanmar marks its annual Armed Forces Day

A new round of UK sanctions will target suppliers to the Myanmar regime of military equipment and other material, which are still being used to attack its civilians.

Those sanctioned today include a company and its director who supply the Myanmar Air Forces with aviation fuel and a second individual who is the director of a company which supplies restricted goods and technology through its business.

On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew the democratically-elected government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and installed a military regime. Since then, they have used violence and atrocities to maintain power and suppress any opposition voices.

The Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said:

“On Myanmar Armed Forces Day, the UK condemns the military’s increasingly brutal campaign against the Myanmar people.”

“The sanctions announced today are designed to reduce the military’s access to fuel and military equipment.”

“The UK will continue to work closely with partners to hold the military regime to account and support the people of Myanmar, as they strive for a return to democracy and freedom.”

These targeted sanctions will raise the cost for those profiting from, or supporting, the regime and restrict the military’s access to fuel and military equipment.

The UK has led the international community’s work to support a peaceful resolution in Myanmar and a return to democracy, as well as pushing for progress towards accountability and justice. It has also played a key role in calling on countries around the world to end the sale and transfer of arms and equipment which facilitate the military’s atrocities.

At the United Nations the UK successfully coordinated a Security Council Resolution on the crisis, the first of its kind, to apply further pressure on the military to end its violence and engage in dialogue.

This will be the 15th round of targeted sanctions by the UK against the military regime in Myanmar. The UK will continue to work with international partners to maintain pressure on the military regime and welcomes the sanctions announced by the US to coincide with Myanmar Armed Forces Day.

Background

Those sanctioned today are:

• Shoon Energy Pte Ltd: a company profiting from the supply of aviation fuel to the Myanmar Air Force
• Khin Phyu Win: current Director and shareholder of Shoon Energy Pte Ltd
• Tun Min Latt: Director of Star Sapphire Trading Company Limited, a company previously sanctioned by the UK which supplies restricted goods or technology through its business

Asset freeze

An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person.

Travel ban

A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.

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