By Caribbean News Global 
LONDON, England – Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has announced sanctions against members of the Myanmar military for serious human rights violations, following the military coup.
“Three individuals sanctioned for serious human rights violations; procedures to stop UK businesses working with Myanmar’s military; and, new measures put in place to ensure UK aid is not diverted from the most vulnerable to the military government The UK will enforce immediate asset freezes and travel bans against three members of the Myanmar military regime for their role in serious human rights violations during the coup, the foreign secretary has announced. The measures are being taken in tandem with Canada which is also today announcing action against the regime. These sanctions are in addition to the sanctions against 16 individuals from the Myanmar military already listed by the UK,” said, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Canada imposes sanctions on Myanmar military officials in response to coup d’état
According to the UK’s sanctions relating to Myanmar, this represents further action by the UK alongside allies to send a message to the Myanmar military that there will be consequences for its human rights violations.
“Myanmar’s military and police have committed serious human rights violations, including violating the right to life, the right to freedom of assembly, the right not to be subject to arbitrary arrest or detention, and the right to freedom of expression.
The UK impose sanctions that come into force immediately include:
- The minister of defence, General Mya Tun Oo for his responsibility for serious human rights violations by the military;
- Minister for home affairs, Lt General Soe Htut for his responsibility for serious human rights violations by the Myanmar Police Force;
- Deputy minister for home affairs, Lt General Than Hlaing, for his responsibility for serious human rights violations by the Myanmar Police Force.
Military business
In response to the coup and subsequent human rights violations, the foreign office and department for international trade have also launched an enhanced due diligence process to mitigate the risk of military businesses operating in the UK and associated illicit money flows.
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab, said: “The UK condemns the military coup and the arbitrary detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political figures. We, alongside our international allies will hold the Myanmar military to account for their violations of human rights and pursue justice for the Myanmar people.”
In addition: “Safeguards are now being put in place to prevent UK aid indirectly supporting the military-led government following the conclusion of an aid review, announced immediately after the coup. Support for government-led reforms has been axed and planned programmes will close. Instead, the government will put in place measures to ensure aid is reaching only the poorest and most vulnerable in Myanmar
“The UK has led a strong, coordinated international response to support the Myanmar people and put pressure on the military. This includes; leading a statement by G7 Foreign Ministers on February 3; convening an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council and coordinating a statement from all members condemning the coup on February 4, and co-leading a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on February 12. The UN HRC session secured a resolution, agreed by consensus that called for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons arbitrarily detained in Myanmar, and the lifting of the state of emergency imposed by the military.”
