Darren Lyn
31 January 2022•Update: 31 January 2022
Houston, TEXAS
The US, Canada, and Britain imposed sanctions on top officials in Myanmar on the one-year anniversary of the military coup d’etat of the country's democratically elected government.
“One year after the coup, the United States, along with allies in the United Kingdom and Canada, stands with the people of Burma as they seek freedom and democracy,” Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.
The penalties were handed down to seven of Myanmar’s high-ranking individuals, including the country’s attorney general and supreme court chief justice.
Two of Myanmar’s largest industries were also slapped with sanctions: KT Services and Logistics, which operates a major port in the region and has provided arms to Myanmar's military regime; and the directorate of procurement of the country’s defense ministry, which has purchased weapons from around the world for use by the military.
The sanctions freeze all assets to the listed individuals and entities in US jurisdictions, and prevent Americans from doing business with them.
The same penalties apply in accordance with similar measures implemented from Canada and Britain.
Since the coup on Feb.1, 2021, the Myanmar military has attempted to reign power through intimidation of pro-democracy supporters, including the killings of innocent civilians, which include children.
“We will continue to target those responsible for the coup and ongoing violence, enablers of the regime’s brutal repression, and their financial supporters,” said Nelson.
