Thursday 29th October marks two years since the British government brought in any new sanctions against the Burmese military.
No explanation has been given by the government as to why they have discontinued the previous policy of systematically identifying and sanctioning sources of revenue, arms and equipment to the Burmese military on an ongoing basis.
Since new rounds of sanctions stopped being imposed by the British government and other western countries, the Burmese military has dramatically increased its attacks against civilians, with ACLED data revealing airstrikes happened on average every two and a half hours. UN data estimates a child is killed by a Burmese military attack every 29 hours.
“The British government has taken a decision not to try to reduce money, arms and equipment reaching the Burmese military,” said Anna Roberts, Executive Director of Burma Campaign UK. “It’s an impossible decision to defend, so instead they deflect by saying the policy hasn’t changed when clearly it has.”
This week at the United Nations General Assembly Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar described how the Burmese military is increasingly relying on aerial attacks, stating; “We have intensified our investigations into indiscriminate or targeted attacks – including by drones and paramotors – which hit civilians in their homes, hospitals, places of worship, displacement camps and schools. Just two weeks ago, planes bombed a monastery in Sagaing Region and a church complex in Chin State. Last month, bombs struck a market in Rakhine State killing more than 50 people…. Witnesses have given us horrific accounts of sexual and gender-based crimes, torture, strangulation and electrocution.”
The lack of new sanctions is happening in the context of a more general softening of the British government approach, including a change on policy inviting representatives of the Burmese military to government departments and be pictured with ministers, softer language such as not calling political prisoners, political prisoners, and dropping the title President from statements regarding President U Win Myint. The British government has also convened fewer UN Security Council meetings and refused to convene meetings on the Burmese military’s violations of UNSC resolutions.
“Targeted sanctions are not just about punishing the Burmese military, they play a vital protective role for civilians and send a political message,” said Anna Roberts. “By discontinuing new rounds of sanctions, the message the British government is sending to the Burmese military is we will sit by and do nothing while you keep bombing schools and hospitals.”
More information
Burma Campaign UK media release:
British Government: Stop Weakening Policy on Burmese Military
British Government: Stop Weakening Policy on Burmese Military