(1)

On 2 May 2013, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 401/2013.

(2)

On 31 January 2023, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a declaration on behalf of the Union strongly condemning the overthrow of Myanmar’s democratically elected government by the Myanmar armed forces in blatant violation of the will of the people as expressed in the general election of 8 November 2020. That illegitimate act reversed the country’s democratic transition and led to disastrous humanitarian, social, security, economic and human rights consequences.

(3)

The Union remains deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of violence in Myanmar/Burma and the evolution towards a protracted conflict with regional implications. The Union condemns the continuing grave human rights violations by the Myanmar armed forces, including torture, sexual and gender-based violence, the persecution of civil society actors, human rights defenders and journalists, and attacks on the civilian population, including ethnic and religious minorities.

(4)

In the absence of swift progress in the situation in Myanmar/Burma, the Union has expressed several times its readiness to adopt further restrictive measures against those responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law and for the serious human rights violations taking place in that country.

(5)

In view of the continuing grave situation in Myanmar/Burma, three persons and one entity should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures in Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 401/2013.

(6)

Regulation (EU) No 401/2013 should therefore be amended accordingly