Justice For Myanmar welcomes the latest round of sanctions on the illegal Myanmar junta and its cronies, coordinated between Canada, the EU and UK.

Since the attempted coup launched in February 2021, the junta has committed widespread atrocity crimes and grave human rights violations with total impunity, enabled by a network of domestic and international companies.

Today’s sanctions targeted the military’s sources of funds, arms, equipment and jet fuel.

Canada and the UK both targeted the Shoon/Asia Sun network, which is the junta’s domestic partner for the import, storage and distribution of aviation fuel. Aviation fuel has been essential to sustain the junta’s aerial campaign of terror.

From February 2021 to August 2024, the junta has launched 3,292 airstrikes, according to Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica, killing civilians including children, destroying schools and hospitals, and causing mass displacement.

The Shoon/Asia Sun network enables and profits from the junta’s indiscriminate airstrikes and is aiding and abetting war crimes.

Canada and the UK are the first jurisdictions to sanction Swan Energy Company Limited, an associate of Shoon/Asia Sun group of companies.

Swan Energy claims to have a 100% market share of the sale of aviation fuel to Myanmar, according to the company’s own website cited by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

The UK is also the first jurisdiction to sanction two additional Shoon group associates, Myan-Oil Company Limited and Rich Ray Trading Company Limited, while Canada sanctioned Win Kyaw Kyaw Aung, a key Shoon group individual.

The UK additionally sanctioned Asia Sun Group Company Limited, following earlier sanctions by Australia and the USA. Canada and the EU previously sanctioned Asia Sun Group.

Canada and the UK both sanctioned Progress Technology Support Company, formerly known as Royal Shune Lei Company Limited, which has supplied arms and related materiel from Russia and Serbia to the Myanmar military, following earlier sanctions by the EU.

Canada sanctioned the Myanmar military crony Ne Aung and his company, International Group of Entrepreneurs Company Limited (IGE), part of a crony conglomerate involved in businesses linked to the junta that include banking, hydropower and real estate.

IGE is also the local partner of Posco International for Lotte Hotel in Yangon, on land leased from the Myanmar army’s office of the quartermaster general.

Ne Aung has been sanctioned for the first time, while International Group of Entrepreneurs Company Limited was previously sanctioned by the EU and the associated International Group of Entrepreneur Services Company Limited was previously sanctioned by the UK.

Canada and the UK both sanctioned King Royal Technologies Company Limited, a supplier of equipment for the Myanmar military, including for the air force and the army’s directorate of signals.

King Royal Technologies was previously added to the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security Entity List.

EU sanctions targeted the Karen Border Guard Force/Karen National Army network, a militia under command of the Myanmar military that has built a transnational network of businesses that enriches the militia’s ruling family and their associates, and causes widespread suffering.

The Karen Border Guard Force businesses include cyber scam parks, illegal casinos and illegal online gambling that have been implicated in human trafficking, forced criminality and torture, and it is directly responsible for the commission of international crimes.

The EU designated the militia’s leader San Myint (also known as Saw Chit Thu), who was previously sanctioned by the UK, and Chit Lin Myaing group of companies, which is controlled by San Myint and his family.

The EU also sanctioned Tin Win, a Karen Border Guard Force major and the militia’s deputy secretary general, Mote Thune. Both have been sanctioned for the first time.

Tin Win and his wife Nan Myint Myint Win control Shwe Myint Thaung Yinn Industry & Manufacturing Company Limited, which supplies power to scam centres and online casino operations in Myawaddy township. The couple are also involved in mining.

Canada additionally sanctioned the junta’s industry minister Charlie Than, who was previously sanctioned by the EU and USA.

Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung says: “We welcome the latest round of sanctions targeting the junta and its business associates.

“The junta’s campaign of terror depends on a vast network of businesses that provide it with funds, arms, equipment and jet fuel, and are complicit in the junta’s international crimes.

“The latest sanctions help disrupt the junta’s dirty business networks, but far more needs to be done.

“Sanctions continue to be too slow, lack coordination and are not covering whole networks of companies and individuals, leaving too many openings for the junta and its associates to circumvent measures.

“We urge governments to take further action urgently to stand with the people of Myanmar, who face daily acts of terror by the illegal junta.

“Government need to widen sanctions, close loopholes and ensure sanctions that have been imposed are rigorously enforced.

“Singapore needs to do more to block the junta’s access to funds, arms and aviation fuel. Three Shoon companies remain active on the Singapore corporate registry, which is unacceptable.

“Singapore must stop allowing Myanmar crony companies from operating in its territory.”

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