R.The United States imposed new sanctions on the leading leaders of the Military Council in Myanmar on Monday-the eve of the first anniversary of the overthrow of the democratically elected country and imprisoned its leader, Aung San Suu Ki.
The United States, which the United Kingdom and Canada joined, announced sanctions against officials who helped sue Aung San Suu Ki, head of the National Democracy Association. The Nobel Peace Prize was arrested on February 1, 2021 coup. Myanmar courts have been sentenced to six years in prison as of January 10 – but it faces additional charges.
Washington also slapped sanctions on a descendant The Qong familyFrom New York Times Strong relations with the Myanmar army were reported and helped them buy equipment. The sanctions also targeted a government agency in Myanmar responsible for buying weapons for the army, locally known as Tatmadaw.
But activists and Myanmar monitors say that the targeted sanctions will only do little to deter brutal system is increasingly isolated from the West and determined to put resistance to its rule with violent repression. More than 1500 people were killed in confrontations with the Military Council across the country, according to the Society for the Human Rights Group for Political Prisoners.
“I think it is fair to say that the West had no great amount of financial lever in Myanmar politically and on the ground since the coup,” says John Nielsen, chief analyst at the Danish Institute for International Studies and former Danish Ambassador in Myanmar.
The demonstrators supporting democracy have long called on the international community to find ways to cut the flow of JUNTA revenues. Since the coup last year, many Western companies – including energy giants Total energy From France and Chevron From the United States – I pledged to remove business from Myanmar due to human rights violations in the country.
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The leader of the Military Council, Min Ong Hulang, and other members of Tatado had already been punished by the United States and other countries. Human Rights Watch The Security Council urged the United Nations to impose a binding universal arms binding on Myanmar.
But in addition to punitive measures, Burmese exiles say that the international community should work to protect people under JUNTA. The Burmese activist and researcher in London Mong Zarni says the neighboring states should open their borders to the Burmese refugees who flee from Tatmawa.
It is also cautious about dialogue with military leaders, preferred by neighboring countries, including some members of the Association of Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN). Nai San Lewin, co -founder of the Rohingya Free Coalition, a global network of Rohingya and allied activists, says that many Burmese demonstrators feel that such talks will only lead to the legitimacy of the legitimacy of the coup leaders.
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But not everyone avoids tatmadaw. Russia was criticized for warm up to Myanmar after the story, Continue selling weapons And its officials attend Junta events led. China also has continuous transactions with Myanmar, but it has taken a more contradictory position: and urged “To restart the democratic process“In a country of Southeast Asia while engaging with both the Tamado armed forces and the Ethnic Armed Forces.” China’s basic goals in Myanmar are to ensure stability on the borders and reach the Indian Ocean through an economic corridor from Kunming to Rakhine. They will work with any party in the conflict to achieve these goals – and this is essentially what they are doing, “says Nielen.
Jason Tower, Myanmar Director at the United States Peace Institute, says there must be a regional approach to the crisis, as companies work closely with the Military Council in the neighboring states. If the United States and the allies are able to persuade the neighbors of Myanmar, including Thailand and India, to establish these companies, it may have a significant impact on the cash flow to military leaders.
But the window of this procedure may be a closure. Cambodia assumed the presidency of ASEAN in 2022. And Prime Minister Cambodian Hun Sen – is not a friend of democracy –He gave a conditional invitation, the leader of the Myanmar coup. Last year, the nine countries Preventing a representative of Myanmar Junta From attending her meetings.
Several activists say that they cannot rely on the international community to support their issue to restore a democratic government in Myanmar. They are putting their confidence in the Tatmadaw’s long-standing minority militias, and the Popular Defense Force-an armed group consisting of members of the exiled shadow government in Myanmar and demonstrators supporting democracy. “If we want to be free, we must fight for ourselves,” he said.