TThe United States imposed new sanctions on Myanmar’s top junta leaders on Monday, the eve of the one-year anniversary of the overthrow of the country’s democratically elected government and the imprisonment of its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
The United States, joined by the United Kingdom and Canada, announced sanctions on officials who helped prosecute Aung San Suu Kyi, head of the National League for Democracy. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was arrested in the coup on February 1, 2021. Myanmar courts sentenced her to a total of six years in prison as of January 10, but she faces additional charges.
Washington also imposed sanctions on Salil Kyaw Thong familyfrom New York times He is said to have strong ties with the Myanmar military and helped it purchase equipment. The sanctions also targeted a Myanmar government agency responsible for purchasing weapons for the military, known locally as the Tatmadaw.
But activists and Myanmar observers say targeted sanctions will do little to deter a brutal regime that is increasingly isolated from the West and determined to suppress resistance to its rule through violent repression. More than 1,500 people have been killed in confrontations with the junta across the country, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which advocates for human rights.
“I think it’s fair to say that the West has had little influence in Myanmar politically and on the ground since the coup,” says John Nielsen, a senior analyst at the Danish Institute for International Studies and a former Danish ambassador to Myanmar.
Pro-democracy protesters have long called on the international community to find ways to cut off the junta’s sources of revenue. Since last year’s coup, many Western companies, including energy giants, have retreated Total energies France and Chevron The United States has pledged to withdraw business from Myanmar over human rights abuses in the country.
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Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and other members of the Tatmadaw were already under sanctions by the United States and other countries. Human Rights Watch Urged the UN Security Council to impose a legally binding global embargo on arms supplies to Myanmar.
But in addition to punitive measures, Burmese exiles say the international community must work to protect people suffering under the junta’s rule. London-based Burmese activist and researcher Maung Zarney says neighboring countries should open their borders to Burmese refugees fleeing the Tatmadaw.
They are also wary of dialogue with military leaders, which is favored by neighboring countries, including some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Many Burmese protesters feel such talks will only strengthen the legitimacy of the coup leaders, says Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Alliance, a global network of Rohingya activists and allies.
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But not everyone avoids the Tatmadaw. Russia has been criticized for its willingness to confront Myanmar after the coup. Continue selling weapons And the presence of its officials Events led by the military junta. China also has ongoing dealings with Myanmar, but has taken a more ambivalent position: as it urged “To resume the democratic process” in the Southeast Asian country while engaging with both the Tatmadaw and ethnic armed forces. ” China’s primary goals in Myanmar are to ensure stability on the border and access to the Indian Ocean via an economic corridor from Kunming to Rakhine. “They will work with any side in the conflict to achieve these goals, and that is, in essence, what they do,” Nielsen says.
Jason Tower, Myanmar director at the United States Institute of Peace, says there must be a regional approach to the crisis, with companies allied closely with the junta in neighboring countries working. If the United States and its allies can persuade Myanmar’s neighbors, including Thailand and India, to crack down on these companies, it could have a significant impact on the money flowing to military leaders.
But the window for such action may be closing. Cambodia holds the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2022. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen – no friend of democracy –He gave a conditional invitation to the Myanmar coup leader. Last year, the nine countries Banned a representative of the military junta in Myanmar From attending its meetings.
Many activists increasingly say they cannot rely on the international community to support their cause of restoring a democratic government in Myanmar. They are placing their trust in ethnic minority militias that have long fought the Tatmadaw, and the People’s Defense Forces – an armed group made up of members of Myanmar’s shadow government in exile and pro-democracy protesters. “If we want to be free, we have to fight for ourselves,” Zarni says.