Myanmar coup: EU imposes sixth round of sanctions targeting individuals, entities over coup

The European Union has announced a sixth round of sanctions on Myanmar over the coup that continues two years later. Nine individuals and seven entities are the targets of the newest round of sanctions over the coup by Myanmar’s generals in 2021.

The EU has imposed a sixth round of sanctions on nine individuals and seven entities in Myanmar over the 2021 coup that ousted the country’s civilian government. The new sanctions target nine individuals, including the energy minister, businessmen, politicians, administrators, and high-ranking officers. Seven entities, including the defense ministry and private companies that supply the Myanmar military with arms, fuel, and funding, were also targeted with sanctions.

The bloc has now imposed sanctions on 93 individuals and 18 entities in Myanmar since the 2021 coup.

“The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence, the persecution of civil society, human rights defenders and journalists, attacks on the civilian population, targeting also children and persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities in the country, and recent deadly air strikes on civilian targets, including on schools and hospitals, by the Myanmar armed forces,” said the EU in the announcement of the sanctions.

The bloc also reiterated its support for the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ efforts to provide assistance in finding a peaceful solution to the unrest. The EU also said Myanmar must implement the five-point consensus plan drafted by ASEAN during the bloc’s summits and its summit with the EU last year.

Earlier this month, the junta said it was expanding martial law in 37 townships in Myanmar which are known to be strongholds of anti-coup resistance. Under the 37 townships affected by the junta’s announcement, no appeals will be allowed for convictions given by military tribunals except in cases where the death penalty was given and must be approved by the coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, according to the Global Light of Myanmar newspaper.

The announcement suggests that the junta is looking for new ways to crack down on dissent against the generals. The military has frequently clashed with the People’s Defense Force, the armed wing of the shadow civilian government, and the National Unity Government in the areas that would come under extended martial law.