UK announces new sanctions against Myanmar military ahead of Myanmar Armed Forces Day

• new designations target arms dealers and companies responsible for supplying weapons to the military
• The Minister for Asia condemns the use of violence by the military and calls for a return to democracy

Two individuals and three companies responsible for supplying the Burmese military regime with weapons and equipment have been sanctioned, the UK government announced today. The UK has also nominated the new Chief of Air Force who was recently appointed to the State Board of Trustees.

The move comes ahead of Myanmar Armed Forces Day this weekend. On Armed Forces Day last year, Myanmar’s military killed more than 100 civilians, in what is believed to be the bloodiest day since the February 2021 coup.

New sanctions, an asset freeze and travel ban to the UK, will be imposed on Dr Aung Moe Myint, Aung Hlaing Oo and General Htun Aung.

Dynasty International Company Ltd, Myanmar Chemical and Machinery Company Ltd and Miya Win International Ltd will also have their assets frozen. The UK has worked closely with partners in the US and Canada to coordinate this latest set of actions.

Asia Minister Amanda Milling said:

The Myanmar military has shown no sign of stopping its brutal campaign of violence against the people of Myanmar, who continue their struggle for democracy.

These sanctions target those who help supply the military with weapons that facilitate these abuses across the country.

Working with like-minded countries, the UK will always uphold the right to freedom, democracy, the rule of law and hold this repressive and brutal regime to account.

Myanmar’s military continues to use violence against civilians, including indiscriminate airstrikes, burning of villages and repression of the opposition movement.

The individuals and entities listed are responsible for facilitating this violence, including by providing the military with weapons and services that have increased their ability to commit human rights violations.

These designations demonstrate the UK’s commitment to identifying and cutting off the supply of arms and equipment to the army from overseas.

The UK strongly condemns countries that continue to facilitate the flow of arms to the military regime.

These countries share responsibility for the brutal violence inflicted by the Myanmar military.

The UK will continue to coordinate with its allies to press for an end to the violence, the full implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and immediate humanitarian access to those in need of lifesaving assistance. .

context

Those sanctioned today are:

• Dr Aung Moe Myint: Director of Dynasty International Company Ltd, responsible for arms procurement for the Myanmar military. He is also an honorary consul of Belarus in Myanmar and a representative of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Myanmar.

• Aung Hlaing Oo: Managing Director of Myanmar Chemical and Machinery Co Ltd (MCM). Through his control of MCM, he acted as a key source of arms and trade support for the junta. He is also an associate of the commander-in-chief and coup leader, Min Aung Hlaing

• General Htun Aung: New Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Air Force. He is also a director of Myanmar Economic Holdings Public Company Ltd – a major conglomerate run by the Myanmar military and sanctioned by the UK, US and EU for funding human rights abuses by the army.

• Dynasty International Company Ltd: an importer and broker of arms imports in Myanmar. It is responsible for the supply and maintenance of Myanmar Air Force military and training aircraft, including since the February 2021 coup.

• Myanmar Chemical and Machinery Company Ltd: acts as a key source of arms and business support for the junta

• Miya Win International Ltd: responsible for ongoing activity in negotiating agreements for the supply and maintenance of aircraft for the Myanmar Air Force. He has continued to support Myanmar’s security forces since the February 2021 coup.